UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT   LOS  ANGELES 


GIFT  OF 

Eugene  E.   Trussing 


WtoHINQTON  WILL5. 


WILLS 


OF 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON 


AND   HIS 


IMMEDIATE  ANCESTORS. 


KDITED   BY 


WORTHINGTON  CHAUNCEY.FORD. 


BROOKLYN,  N.  Y.: 

HISTORICAL  PRINTING   CI.UB. 
1891. 


25O  Copies  Printed. 

No./_a.# 


CONTENTS. 


t-     WILL  OF  JOHN  WASHINGTON,  1675 7 

i—     POWER  OF  ATTORNEY,  BY  ANN  WASHINGTON,  1698   ...  19 

in     WILL  OF  LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON,  1675   ........  21 

>     WILL  OF  LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON,  1698 31 

z     WILL  OF  AUGUSTINE  WASHINGTON,  1743 39 

EDMUND  PENDLETON  TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  3  JULY, 

1769 53 

^T"7  WILL  OF  MARY  BALL,  1788 59 

^      GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  BETTY  LEWIS,  13  SEPTEMBER, 

J             1789 63 

A*1      GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  BETTY  LEWIS,  12  OCTOBER,  1789.  68 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  BURGES  BALL  AND  CHARLES 

*i             CARTER,  18  OCTOBER,  1789 69 

'-U       WILL  OF  LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON,  1752 71 

WILL  OF  GEORGE  WASHINGTON,  1799 Si 

u_ 

°       GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  DAVID  STUART,   15  JANUARY, 

t  1788 141 

cu 

WILL  OF  BUSHROD  WASHINGTON,  1826 149 

WILL  OF  JOHN  AUGUSTINE  WASHINGTON,  1822 173 

WILL  OF  JOHN  CUSTIS,  1708    .  , 183 

190 


O(,0f,l 
^    , 

*m*   f 


NOTE. 

I  HAVE  obtained  copies  of  the  wills  of  the  immediate 
ancestors  of  George  Washington,  and  print  them  with 
certain  others,  as  matters  of  personal  as  well  as  histor- 
ical interest.  The  wills  of  John,  the  immigrant,  and 
of  George  Washington,  are  taken  from  the  originals; 
the  others  are  from  certified  copies,  made  by  the  cus- 
todians of  the  originals.  I  have  followed  the  MSS. 
closely,  adding  a  few  notes,  in  which  I  have  received 
great  assistance  from  Rev.  Horace  Edwin  Hayden,  of 
Wilkesbarre,  Pa. 

WORTHINGTON   CHAUNCEY   FORD. 
Brooklyn,  May,  1891. 


THE 


WILL 


OF 


JOHN  WASHINGTON, 

GREAT-GRANDFATHER  OF 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


IN  the  name  [of]  god  amen.  I  John  Washington 
of  Washington  parish*  in  y?  Countie  of  westmer- 
landf  in  Virginie  gent,  being  of  good  &  perfect 

*  In  the  session  of  March  1655-6  the  Assembly  directed  that 
all  counties  not  already  divided  into  parishes  should  be  so 
divided  by  the  next  county  court,  as  the  "improvident  saveing  " 
of  those  who  had  neglected  to  do  this,  made  the  inhabitants 
"loose  the  greatest  benefitt  and  comfort  a  Christian  can  have, 
by  hearing  the  word  and  vse  of  the  blessed  sacraments."  Hen- 
ing,  I.,  400.  The  act  was  repeated  in  March  1657-8,  and  it 
must  have  been  under  one  of  these  that  Washington  parish 
was  laid  off.  In  1724  the  parish  was  about  thirty  miles  in 
length,  five  in  breadth,  and  contained  about  200  hundred  fami- 
lies. There  were  two  churches  in  it,  one  called  the  Round  Hill 
church,  and  the  annual  salary  of  the  minister  16,000  pounds  of 
tobacco.  "The  gentleman  who  bequeathed  my  Glebe  to  the 
parish  [William  Horton,  his  will  bore  date  10  January,  1700], 
left  the  whole  tract  (containing  440  acres),  to  be  disposed  of  by 
the  vestry  for  the  better  maintenance  of  a  minister  and  school- 
master, the  Vestry  made  no  division  of  the  land,  but  gave  it  to 
me  as  a  glebe,  with  this  proviso,  that  I  provide  a  sufficient  per- 
son to  instruct  the  youth  in  reading,  writing  and  arithmetic 
under  my  inspection,  which  condition  I  have  complied  with." 
Lawrence  De  Butts,  minister  of  Washington  Parish  in  1724. 
Printed  in  Perry,  Church  in  Virginia,  292.  The  glebe  was  di- 
rected to  be  sold  in  1778. 

t  The  first  mention  of  Westmoreland  county  is  found  in  the 
Randolph  MS.,  where  in  1653,  in  the  fourth  year  of  the  com- 
monwealth, its  bounds  were  laid  off  "  ffrom  Machoactoke  river 
where  Mr.  Cole  lives :  And  so  vpwards  to  the  ffalls  of  the  great 
river  of  Pawtomake  above  the  Necostins  towne."  Hening, 

(9)  memory, 


10 

memory,  thankes  be  unto  Almighty  god  (for  it)  & 
Calling  to  remembrance  the  uncertaine  estate  of 
this  trans[itory]  life,  &  that  all  flesh  must  yield 
unto  death,  when  it  shall  plea[se]  god  for  to  Call, 
doe  make  Constitute  ordaine  &  declare  this  my 
last  will  &  testament  in  maner  &  forme  following, 
reuoaking  &  anulling  by  thes  presents  all  &  euery 
testament  &  testa[ments],  will  &  wills  heirtofore 
by  me  made  &  Declared  [either  by  word]  or  by 
writeing  &  [these?]  be  taken  only  for  my  last  will 
&  testament  &noe  other,  &  first  being  hardly  sorry 
from  the  bottome  of  my  hart  for  my  sins  past,  most 
humbly  desireing  forgiueness  of  the  same  from  the 
Almighty  god  (my  sauiour)  &  redeimer,  in  whoine 
&  by  the  meritts  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  trust  &  belieue 
assuredly  to  be  saued,  &  to  haue  full  remission  & 
forgiueness  of  all  my  sins  &  y*  my  soule  wl.h  my 
body  at  the  generall  day  of  ressurrection  shall  arise 
againe  w*h  joy  &  through  the  merrits  of  Christ 
death  &  passion  posses  &  inherit  the  Kingdom  of 
heauen,  prepared  for  his  ellect  &  Chossen  &  my 
body  to  be  buried  in  y?  plantation  wheire  I  now 

I.,  381.  The  first  session  in  which  Burgesses  sat  for  Westmore- 
land was  that  of  November,  1654,  when  John  Holland  and 
Alexander  Baynham  were  the  representatives.  In  the  session 
of  October,  1666,  Col.  Nicholas  Spencer  and  Col.  John  Wash- 
ington appeared  as  the  representatives.  In  1675  the  two  men 
were  associated  again,  with  others,  to  deal  with  the  Indians. 
Hening,  II.,  331. 

Hue, 


II 

Hue,  by  the  side  of  my  wife*  y*  is  already  buried 
&  two  Children  of  mine  &  now  for  the  setling  of 
my  temporall  estate  &  such  goods  Chatles  &  debts 
as  it  hath  pleased  god  far  aboue  my  Deserts,  to  be- 
stow uppon  me  I  doe  giue  &  dispose  the  same  in 
maner  &  forme  following — 

first  I  will  y*  all  those  debts  &  duties  y*  I  owe  in 
right  or  Conscience  to  any  maner  of  person  or  per- 
sons w1  soever  shall  be  well  &  truly  Contented  & 

payd  or  ordained  to  be  "payd  by  my  executors —  f 

*  *  * 

Inprimis  I  giue  &  bequeath  unto  my  eldest 
sonne  [  ]  ington  y*.  seat  of  land  wheiron 

Heneryflagg  ]  watts  &  Robert  Hedges,  being 

by  patten  &  being  by  my  father  pope 

made  ouer  to  me  &  my  heirs  lawfully  begotten 
of  my  body — 

Item  I  give  unto  my  son  Lawrence  Washington 
my  watter  Mill  w*h  all  appertinances  &  Land  be- 
longing to  it  a[t]  the  head  of  Rosiers  Creik  to  him 
&  his  heirs  foreuer,  reserueing  to  my  wife  her 
thirds  durring  her  Life. 

Item  I  giue  unto  my  son  Lawrence  Washington 
y*  seate  of  Land  w*;11  I  bought  of  MT.  Lewis  Maruim, 
being  about  two  hundred  &  fifty  acres,  at  the  mouth 
of  rosiers  Crieck  on  ye  north  west  side,  w1?1  all  the 

*  Anne  Pope. 

f  Three  or  four  words  illegible. 

houseing 


12 

houseing  theirunto  belonging  to  him  &  his  heirs 
for  euer  reserueing  to  my  wife  her  thirds  durring 
her  Life — 

Item  I  giue  unto  my  son  Lawrence  Washington 
y*  seat  of  Land  at  upper  Machotock  w^h  I  bought 
of  M^  Anthony  Bridge  &  MT  John  Rosier  being 
about  nine  hundred  acres  to  him  &  his  heirs  for- 
euer,  reserueing  to  my  wife  her  thirds  durring  her 
life. 

Item  I  giue  unto  my  son  Lawrence  Washington 
my  halfe  &  share  of  fiue  thousand  acres  of  land  in 
Stafford  *  County  w^h  is  betwixt  Coll  Nicolas  spen- 
cer &  myselfe  w^h  we  are  engaged  y*  there  shall  be 
no  benifit  taken  by  suruiuour  ship,  to  him  &  his 
heirs  foreuer.f 

*  Stafford  County  is  first  mentioned  in  a  law  of  1666,  provid- 
ing that  each  county  provide  a  weaver  and  loom  at  its  own  ex- 
pense. In  1730  a  part  was  taken  from  Stafford  and  King  George 
Counties  to  form  Prince  William  County.  Twelve  years  later 
Prince  William  was  divided ;  the  western  part  retained  the 
name  of  Prince  William,  and  the  eastern  became  Fairfax 
County,  the  parish  of  Truro. 

•fThe  patent  was  issued  by  Thos.  Culpepper,  i  March,  1674, 
and  conveyed  to  Col.  Nicholas  Spencer  and  Lieut.  Col.  John 
Washington,  "five  thousand  acres  of  land  scituate  Lying  and 
being  within  the  said  terrytory  in-the  County  of  Stafford  in  the 
ffreshes  of  Pottomooke  River  and  neere  oppositt  to  Piscatoway 
Indian  Towne  in  Mariland  and  neere  the  Land  of  Capt.  Giles 
on  the  North  side,  and  neere  the  Land  surveyed  for  Mr. 
Win.  Grein  Mr.  Wm.  Dudley  and  others  on  the  south  side ; 
being  a  necke  of  Land  bounded  betwixt  two  Creeks  and  the 

Item 


13 

Item  I  doe  giue  unto  my  son  Johne  Washington 
y*  plantation  whereon  I  now  Hue  w*;h  I  bought  of 
Dauid  Anderson  y*  plantation  next  to  M*  John 
[Foxall?]  y*  I  bought  (w<*  was  Ric.  Hills)  to  him  & 
his  heirs  for  euer  &  y^  seate  of  Land  of  about  four 
hundred  acres  w^h  Lyeth  uppon  y?  Head  of  Rap- 
pahanecke  Creike  &  adjoyning  uppon  David  nor- 
ways  orphants  Land  the  Land  being  formerly  John 
Whittsons  &  to  me,  to  him  &  his  heirs  for  euer, 

reserueing  to  my  wife  her  thirds  of  the  afoure  sayd 
Land  during  her  Life. 

Maine  River,  on  the  East  p'te  by  the  said  Main  River  of 

Pottomooke,  on  the  North  p'te  by  a  Creeke  Called  by  the  Eng- 
lish Little  Hunting  Creeke  and  the  maine  Branch  thereof  on 
the  south  p'te  by  a  Creeke  named  and  Called  by  the  Indians 
Epsewasson  Creeke  and  the  maine  Branch  thereof  which 
Creeke  devides  this  Land  of  Gren  and  Dudley  and  others  on 
the  west  p'te  by  a  right  Lyne  drawn  from  the  Branches  of  the 
aforesaid  Epsewasson  and  Little  Hunting  Creeke." 

In  the  Virginia  State  Land  Registry,  No.  6,  p.  615,  is  recorded 
a  grant  to  Lt.  Col.  John  Washington,  of  5,000  acres  in  Stafford 
County,  1677. 

Nicholas  Spencer  survived  Washington,  and  served  in  the 
Governor's  Council  after  1680,  as  President,  and  also  as  Secre- 
tary of  the  Colony  in  1683.  Mr.  Hayden  tells  me  he  was  a  jus- 
tice in  Westmoreland  County  in  1699,  and  married  Miss  Mot- 
trom,  daughter  of  John  Mottrom. 

Nicholas  Spencer  devised  his  moiety  of  this  tract  to  his  son 
Francis  Spencer  and  his  heirs  forever.  Capt.  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington was  one  of  the  feoffees  in  trust  under  Spencer's  will, 
dated  25  April,  1688,  and  received  forty  shillings  for  a  mourning 
ring.  Henry  F.  Waters'  Gleanings. 

Item 


Item  I  giue  unto  my  son  John  Washington  yt 
seate  of  Land  wc.h  Robert  foster  now  liueth  on  being 
about  three  hundred  acres*  to  him  &  his  heirs  for- 
euer,  Likewise  I  give  unto  my  sayd  son  John  Wash- 
ington y*  seat  of  Land  w^h  Robert  Richards  liueth 
on  w^h  I,  had  of  my  bro:  Lawrence  Washington 
being  about  three  hundred  &  fifty  acres  to  him  & 
his  heirs  for  euer  reserueing  to  my  wife  her  thirds 
of  the  two  sayd  tracts  of  Land  during  her  Life — f 

Item  I  giue  &  bequeath  unto  my  daughter  An 
Washington  y*  seate  of  Land  y*  tract  of  Land 
y^  Tho:  Jordan  now  liueth  on  being  about  twelve 
hundred  acres  J  to  her  &  her  heirs  for  euer,  like- 
wise I  giue  &  bequeath  unto  my  sayd  Daughter 
that  tract  of  Land  whereon  John  fries  ||  now 
liueth  being  about  fourteen  hundred  acres  after 
M?  fr  ke  hath  his  quantitie  out  of  it  to  her  &  her 

*  Perhaps  the  300  acres  in  Northumberland  County,  granted 
to  Major  John  Washington,  i  June,  1664.  Virginia  State  Land 
Registry,  No.  5,  p.  49. 

f  In  the  Virginia  State  Land  Registry,  No.  6,  p.  60,  is  recorded 
a  grant  of  700  acres  in  Stafford  County,  to  Lawrence  Washing- 
ton and  Robert  Richards,  27  September,  1667. 

JA  tract  of  this  size  was  granted,  4  September,  1661,  to  Major 
John  Washington  and  Thomas  Pope.  It  lay  in  Westmoreland 
County.  Virginia  State  Land  Registry,  No.  5,  p.  54. 

Ann  married  Major  Francis  Wright.  He  was  justice  in  West- 
moreland, 1699. 

||  Or  Frier. 

heirs 


15 

heirs  for  euer  reserueing  to  my  wife  her  thirds  of 
the  two  above  seates  durring  her  Life. 

Item  I  giue  unto  my  sayd  Daughter,  w":h  was  her 
mother's  desire  &  my  promise  y?  Cash  in  y?  new 
parlour  &  the  Diamond  ring  &  her  mother's  rings 
&  the  white  quilt  &  the  white  Curtains  &  vallians — 

And  as  for  the  rest  of  my  personall  estate  after 
my  debts  &  dues  are  sattisfied  justly  whc^  I  desire 
should  be  sattisfied  out  of  my  [  ]  Cropps,  which 
I  doe  not  question  but  will  be  far  more  than  I  doe 
owe  (thankes  be  unto  god  for  it)  theirfore  it  is  my 
desire  y*  my  estate  should  not  Come  to  any  ap- 
praisement, but  I  order  &  bequeath  a[s]  followeth 
y*  is  to  say  that  their  shall  be  a  just  Inuentory  & 
List  taken  of  my  personall  estate  y*  I  am  possessed 
of  &  for  to  be  deuided  in  quantitie  &  quallitie, 
by  three  men  of  Judgement  w*ih  I  request  the  Court 
to  nominate,  into  foure  [parts]  to  be  equall  & 
proportionable  deuided  in  quantitie  &  qualitie  the 
[one]  fourth  part  I  giue  to  my  Loueing  wife  in 
kind  in  lew  of  her  dower  or  [claime],  &  one  fourth 
part  to  my  son  Lawrence  Washington  in  kind,  and 
one  fourth  part  to  my  son  John  Washington  in 
kind,  &  one  fourth  part  to  my  daughter  An  Wash- 
ington in  kind  to  them  &  either  of  them  seuerally 
and  their  heirs  for  euer  &  it  is  my  will  y*.  if  either 
my  aboue  sayd  children  should  happen  to  dy,  be- 
fore they  obtaine  the  age  of  one  &  twenty  yeares  or 
day  of  mariadge,  then  the  Land  of  y\  child  y4.  Dieth 

to  be 


i6 

to  be  the  eldest  son  then  Liueing,  &  if  both  my 
sons  should  dy  then  the  LancTTo  be  my  daughter 
An,  &  as  for  the  personall  estate  if  any  of  my  three 
Children  should  happen  to  dy,  before  they  Qome  of 
age  or  day  of  mariadge,  then  it  is  my  will  that  the 
two  suruiueing  children  should  equally  deuide  the 
personall  estate  of  y*  child  y1.  is  dead  betwixt  them 
and  theirs  for  euer. 

Item  I  o-iue  and  bequeath  after  all  my  legacies 
payd  out  w*  mony  I  shall  haue  in  England  to  my 
son  Lawrence  Washington. 

Item  my  desire  is  y^  their  may  be  a  funerall  ser- 
mon preached  at  ye  church  &  that  their  be  no 
other  funerall  kept  y*  will  exceed  four  thousand 
pounds  of  tobacco. 

Item  I  giue  unto  the  Lower  Church  of  washing- 
ton  parish  [  ]  ten  Comandments  and  the 
Kings  armes  wc.h  is  my  desire  should  be  sent  for 
out  of  w*  mony  I  haue  in  England. 

Item  it  is  my  desire  y1.  w*  estate  I  shall^d^pos- 
sessed  should  be  kept  intire  w^out  dejiideing  un- 
till  all  debts  &  dues  be  payd  &  sattisfiedT* 

Item  I  giue  unto  my  bro:  Lawrence  Washington 
four  thousand  pounds  of  tobbc.°  &  Caske. 

Item  I  giue  unto  my  nephew  John  Washington 
my  godson  eldest  son  to  my  bro:  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington one  young  mare  of  two  years  old. 

Item  it  is  my  desire  y*  when  my  estate  is  d_e- 
uided  in  quantitie  &  qualitie  into  foure  equall  parts 


17 

&  y*  my  wife  hath  taken  her  fourth  part,  y*  then 
euery  Childs  part  should  be  put  put*  uppon  their 
towne  f  plant  [  ]  or  plantations  theire  for  to  be 
managed  to  the  best  aduantage  for  the  bringing  up 
&  [educating  each  child]  according  to  the  proffit 
of  each  Children's  share. 

Item  it  is  my  desire  y*  my  wife  should  haue  the" 
bringing  up  of  my  daughter  An  Washington  untill 
my  son  Lawrence  comes  to  age  or  her  day  of  mar- 
iadge  &  my  wife  for  to  haue  the  manadgement  of 
her  part  to  my  daughter's  best  aduantadge. 

Item  I  doe  giue  to  my  bro:  Thomas  Pope  ten 
pounds  out  of  y?  mony  I  haue  in  England. 

Item  I  doe  giue  unto  my  sister  Marthaw  Wash- 
ington ten  pounds  out  of  y?  mony  I  haue  in  Eng- 
land &  wt  soeuer  else  she  shall  be  oweing  to  me  for 
transporteing  herselfe  into  this  Country — &  a  year's 
accomodation  after  her  Corneing  in  &  four  thousand 
pounds  of  tobbc.°  &  Caske. 

Item  it  is  my  desire  y*  my  bro:  Mr  Thomas  Pope 
haue  the  bringing  up  of  my  son  John  Washington 
&  for  to  haue  the  manadgement  of  his  estate  to 
my  sons  best  aduantadge  untill  [he]  be  of  age  of  one 
&  twenty  yeares  or  day  of  mariadge — 

finally  I  doe  ordainejk  appoint  my  bro:  MT  Law- 
rence Washington  &  my  son  Lawrence  washing- 
ton  &  my  Loueing  wife  Mr.s-  An  Washington  my 

*  Or  out,  \  Or  owne. 

whole 


i8 

whole  &  scale  executors  of  this  my  Last  will  & 
testament  as  witness  my  hand  &  scale  this  21?  of 
7ber  1675. 

JOHN  WASHINGTON. 

Signed  &  sealed  in  y* 
presence  of  us 

JOHN  LORD.* 
JOHN 


Ye  xothjana: 

Then  this  will  was  proved  by  y?  oath  of  Cap? 
Jn?  Lord,  Cap*  Jn?  Appleton  being  decs?  f  re- 
corded in  y?  County  Court  records  of  WestmorLd. 

*John  Lord  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  for  Westmore- 
land, 1660.  He  was  [1661-2]  ordered  with  others  to  pay  for 
injuries  done  to  Wahauganoche,  king  of  the  Potowmack  In- 
dians ;  refusing  to  do  this,  he  was  fined  and  suspended  from 
office.  This  made  the  commission  for  Westmoreland  so  small, 
that  Westmoreland  and  Northumberland  were  joined  under 
one  commission. 

f  Died  in  1676. 


POWER  OF  ATTORNEY  BY  THE  WIDOW  OF  JOHN 
WASHINGTON. 

Know  all  men  by  these  presents  that  I  Mrs.  Ann 
Washington  Widow  &  Relict  of  Capt  John  Wash- 
ington of  Westmoreland  County  deed,  do  hereby 
constitute,  appoint  and  ordain  my  trusty  and  well 
beloved  friend  Mr.  Caleb  Butler*  of  the  said  County 
my  true  and  L,awfull  Attorney  for  me  and  in  my 
name,  and  to  my  use,  to  ask,  sue,  receive  and  re- 
cover of  all  person  or  Persons  whatsoever  living, 
residing  &  abiding  within  this  Colony  of  Virginia 
or  province  of  Maryland,  all  such  sum  or  sums  of 
money,  or  Tobacco  which  shall  be  made  appear  to 
be  due  to  me  whether  by  bill,  bond  or  Book  account 
or  otherways  &  upon  non-payment  of  any  part  of 
the  above  Tobacco  or  money  by  any  person  or  per- 
sons whatsoever  I  do  impower  him  the  said  Caleb 
Butler  to  arrest  &  implead  and  into  prison  cast  all 
such  person  or  persons  as  he  sees  fitt,  and  out  of 
Prison  to  release  &  sett  free  at  his  pleasure  and  ac- 
quittance or  other  discharges  to  give  for  me  &  in 
my  name  and  for  my  use,  and  likewise  I  give  my 
said  attorney  full  power  to  employ  any  one  attorney 
or  more  if  he  sees  fit,  and  to  discharge  them  at  his 

*  A  justice  in  Westmoreland,  1699.     Hayden. 

pleasure 


2O 

pleasure  &  to  act  and  do  in  all  my  affairs  belonging 
to  me  in  Virginia  or  Maryland  as  if  I  myself  were 
personally  present,  ratifying  and  allowing  &  con- 
firming all  and  whatsoever  my  said  attorney  shall 
act  and  do  in  the  premises.  As  Witness  my  hand 
and  scale  this  28th  day  of  March  1698. 

ANN  WASHINGTON.     [SEAL.] 

Sealed  Signed  &  Delivered  in  presence  of, 

THOMAS  HOWES, 
HENRY  WICKEFP. 

WESTMORELAND  Set: 

At  a  Court  held  for  the  Said  County  the  3Oth  day 
of  March  1698. 

The  above  Letter  of  attorney  was  proved  by  the 
oaths  of  the  Witnesses  thereto  subscribed  and  or- 
dered to  be  recorded.  Teste 

JAMES  WESTCOMB  C.  W.  C.* 

*From  The  Nation,  18  December,  1890. 


THE 


WILL 


LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON 

(EMIGRANT.) 


In  the  name  of  God,  Amen. 

I,  Lawrence  Washington,  of  the  county  of 
Rappac. ,  *  being  sick  and  weak  in  body,  but  of  sound 
and  perfect  memory,  do  make  and  ordain  this,  my 
last  will  and  testament,  hereby  revoking,  annull- 
ing, and  making  void  all  former  wills  and  Codicells, 
heretofore  by  me  made,  either  by  word  or  writing, 
and  this  only  to  be  taken  for  my  last  will  and  testa- 
ment. 

Imprs.  I  give  and  bequeath  my  Soule  into  the 
hands  of  Almighty  God,  hoping  and  trusting 
through  the  mercy  of  Jesus  Christ,  my  one  Savior 
.and  redeemer,  to  receive  full  pardon  and  forgive- 
ness of  all  my  sinns,  and  my  body  to  the  earth,  to 
be  buried  in  comely  and  decent  manner,  by  my 
Executrix  hereafter  named,  and  for  my  worldly 
goods,  I  thus  dispose  them.  Item,  I  give  and  be- 
queath unto  my  loving  daughter,  Mary  Washing- 
ton, f  my  whole  estate  in  England,  both  reall  and 
personall,  to  her  and  the  heirs  of  her  body,  law- 

*  Rappahannock  county  was  laid  off  from  the  upper  part  of 
Lancaster  in  1656.  In  1692  the  county  was  divided  into  Rich- 
mond and  Essex. 

f  Mary  Washington  was  a  daughter  of  the  first  wife,  Mary 
Jones, — the  only  issue  of  the  marriage. 

(23)  fully 


24 

fully  begotten,  forever,  to  be  delivered  into  her  pos- 
session immediately  after  my  decease,  by  my  Exec- 
utrix hereafter  named.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto 
my  aforesaid  daughter,  Mary  Washington,  my 
smallest  stone  ring  and  one  silver  cup,  now  in  my 
possession,  to  her  and  her  heirs,  forever,  to  be  de- 
livered to  her  immediately  after  my  decease.  I 
give  and  bequeath  unto  my  loving  son,  John  Wash- 
ington,* all  my  bookes,  to  him  and  his  heirs,  for- 
ever, to  be  delivered  to  him  when  he  shall  come  to 
the  age  of  Twenty-one  yeares.  I  give  and  bequeath 
unto  my  son,  John,  and  daughter,  Ann  Washing- 
ton, all  the  rest  of  my  plate,  but  what  is  before  ex- 
prest  to  be  equally  divided  between  them,  and  de- 
livered into  their  possession  when  they  come  of 
age.  Item,  my  will  is,  that  all  my  debts  which  of 
right  and  justice  I  owe  to  any  man  be  justly  and 
truly  paid,  as  allso  my  funerall  expenses,  after 
which  my  will  is,  that  all  my  whole  estate,  both 
reall  and  personal^  be  equally  divided  between  my 
loving  wife,  Jane  Washington,!  and  the  two  chil- 

*  Married  Mary  Towushend.  "She  was  daughter  of  Col. 
Robert  and  Mary  (Langhorne)  Towiishend.  Her  sister  Frances, 
married  Francis  Dade.  In  1727  Mary  (Townshend)  Washing- 
ton conveyed  part  of  the  Townshend  patent  of  1850  to  her  son 
John."  Hayden. 

f  Jane  Fleming.  "  I  have  long  thought  that  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington married  a  widow  Joyce  Fleming.  'Aug.  19,  1660,  Alex. 
Fleming  and  wife  Ursula  made  deed  in  Rappk  Co. '  '  Feb.  6, 

dren  God 


25 

dren  God  hath  given  me  by  her  Vizt.  John  and  Ann 
Washington.  I  give  and  bequeath  it  all  to  them, 
and  the  heires  of  their  bodies,  lawfully  begotten, 
forever,  my  sonri1  s  part  to  be  delivered  to  him  when 


Lawrence  Washington  and  wife  Joyce  conveyed  200  acres 
formerly  Capt.  Alex.  Fleming's,  by  him  assigned  to  Jno. 
Thomazine,  and  by  T.  assigned  to  Lawrence  Washington.' 
'  In  1692,  Thomas  Pace  and  wife  Jane,  Rowland  Thornton  and 
wife  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  daughters  of  Alex.  Fleming,  de- 
ceased, deeded  320  acres,  part  of  960,  given  by  Fleming  to  his 
wife  and  two  daughters,  which  320  came  to  Pace  with  Alexia 
his  former  wife."  It  seems  as  if  Alex.  Fleming  married  (i) 
Ursula  ;  (2)  Joyce,  who  married  (2)  Lawrence  Washington,  and 
(3)  -  ."  Hayden. 

Among  the  Washington  Papers  I  found  a  copy  of  a  letter 
written  by  the  son  of  Lawrence  Washington,  to  his  half  sister 
Mary,  then  residing  in  England,  I  give  it  in  full: 

VIRGINIA,  JUNE  YE  22?,  1699. 

Dear  &  Loving  Sister, 

I  had  the  happiness  to  see  a  Letter  which  you  sent  to  my 
Aunt  Howard,  who  died  about  a  year  and  a  half  ago  ;  I  had 
heard  of  you  by  her  before,  but  could  not  tell  whether  you 
were  alive  or  not.  It  was  truly  great  joy  to  hear  that  I  had 
such  a  relation  alive  as  yourself;  not  having  any  such  a  one  by 
my  Father's  side  as  yourself.  My  Father  had  one  Daughter 
by  my  Mother,  who  died  when  she  was  very  young,  before  my 
remembrance.  My  Mother  had  three  Daughters  when  my 
Father  married  her,  one  died  last  winter,  and  left  four  or  five 
children,  the  other  two  are  alive  &  married  and  have  had  sev- 
eral children.  My  Mother  married  another  man  after  my 
Father,  who  spent  all,  so  that  I  had  not  the  value  of  twenty 
shillings  of  my  Father's  Estate,  I  being  the  youngest  &  there- 

he  come 


26 

he  come  of  age,  and  my  daughter's  part  when  she 
comes  of  age  or  day  of  marriage,  which  shall  first 
happen.  Item,  my  will  is,  that  that  land  which 
became  due  to  me  in  right  of  my  wife,  lying  on  the 
South  Side  of  the  river,  formerly  belonging  to 
Capt.  Alexander  Fleming,*  and  commonly  known 
by  the  name  of  West  Falco,  be  sold  by  my  Execu- 
trix hereafter  named,  for  the  payment  of  my  debts, 
immediately  after  my  decease.  Item,  my  will  is, 
that  the  land  I  have  formerly  entred  with  Capt. 
Wm.  Mosely,f  be  forthwith  after  my  decease,  sur- 

fore  the  weakest,  which  generally  comes  off  short.  But  I 
thank  God  my  Fortune  has  been  pretty  good  since,  as  I  have 
got  a  kind  and  loving  wife,  by  whom  I  have  had  three  sons  and 
a  daughter,  of  which  I  have  buried  my  daughter  and  one  son. 
I  am  afraid  I  shall  never  have  the  happiness  of  seeing  you, 
since  it  has  pleased  God  to  set  us  at  such  a  distance,  but  hoping 
to  hear  from  you  by  all  opportunities,  which  you  shall  assur- 
edly do  from  him  that  is, 

Your  ever  loving  Brother 
till  death 

JN«  WASHINGTON. 

If  you  write  to  me  direct  yours  to  me  in  Stafford  county,  on 
Potomack  River  in  Virginia.  Vale. 

To  Mrs.  Mary  Gibson,  living  at  Hawnes  in  Bedt's.  These 
sent  with  care. 

*  A  vestryman  and  justice  in  1675.     Hayden. 

t  William  Mosely  was  associated  with  Col.  John  Washington 
and  others  in  1673,  in  settling  the  bounds  between  the  Counties 
of  Northumberland  and  Lancaster.  Hening,  II.,  309.  The 

veyed 


27 

veyed  and  pattented  by  my  Execx.  hereafter 
named,  and  if  it  shall  amount  to  the  quantity  of 
one  thousand  acres,  then  I  give  and  bequeath  unto 
Alexander  Barrow,  two  hundred  acres  of  the  sd. 
land,  to  him  and  hisheires,  forever,  the  remainder 
I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  loving  wife  afores'd 
and  two  children,  to  them  and  their  heires,  for- 
ever, to  be  equally  divided  between  them.  Item, 
my  will  is,  that  if  it  shall  please  God  to  take  my 
daughter  Mary  out  of  the  world  before  she  comes 
of  age,  or  have  heirs  lawfully  begotten  of  her  body, 
then  I  give  and  bequeath  my  land  in  England, 
which  by  my  will  I  have  given  to  her,  unto  my 
son,  John  Washington  and  his  heirs,  and  the  per- 
sonall  estate  which  I  have  given  to  her,  I  give  and 
bequeath  the  same  unto  my  daughter,  Ann  Wash- 
ington and  her  heires,  forever.  Item,  I  do  hereby 
make  and  ordain  my  loving  wife,  Jane  Washington, 
Executrix  of  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  to  see 
it  performed,  and  I  do  hereby  make  and  appoint 
my  dear  and  loveing  Brother  Coll  John  Washington, 
and  my  loveing  friend  Thomas  Hawkins  (in  case  of 
the  death  or  neglect  of  my  executrix),  to  be  the 
overseers  and  guardians  of  my  Children  untill  they 
come  of  age  to  the  truth  whereof  I  have  hereunto 

house  of  William  Mosely,  Senr. ,  is  mentioned  in  the  act  for 
dividing  Lower  Norfolk  county.  Hening,  JII.,  95.  He  was  a 
justice  in  Essex,  1699.  Hayden. 

Sett 


28 

Sett  my  hand  and  Seale,  this  2yth  of  September, 


LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON.     [SEAL.] 

Signed  Sealed  and  declared  to  be 
his  last  will  and  testament, 
in  the  presence  of  us. 

CORNELIUS  WOOD. 
JOHN  B.  BARROW, 
HENRY  SANDY,  Junr. 

A  codicil  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Law- 
rence Washington,  annexed  to  his  will,  and  made 
September  2yth,  1675. 

Item,  my  will  is,  that  my  part  of  the  land  I  now 
live  upon,  which  became  due  to  me  by  marriage  of 
my  wife,  I  leave  it  wholy  and  solely  to  her  dispos- 
able after  my  decease,  as  witness  my  hand,  the  day 
and  year  above  written. 

LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON.     [SEAL.] 

Signed  Sealed  and  declared  to  be 
a  Codicil  of  my  last  will  and  testa- 
ment, in  the  presence  of  us. 

CORNELIUS  WOOD, 
HENRY  SANDY,  Junr. 

The  above  named  Henry  Sandy,  Junr.  aged  70 
veares,  or  thereab'ts,  sworn  and  examined,  saith, 
that  he  did  see  the  above  named  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington, Sign,  Scale  and  publish  the  above  men- 
tioned, to  be  his  last  will  and  testament,  and  that  he 

was  in 


29 

was  in  perfect  sence  and  memory  at  the  Signing, 
Sealing  and  publishing  thereof,  to  the  best  of  your 
deponent's  Judgment.  HENRY  SANDY. 

Juratus  est  Henricus  Sandy,  in  Cur.  Com.  Rap- 
pkac.  Sexto  die,  Jany,  Ano  1677.  Jr  Saca  end  pr 
and  probat. 

Scst 

EDMD  CRASK,  Cl  Cy. 
A  Copy,  Teste 
James  Roy  Micou,  Clerk, 
Essex  County  Court, 
State  of  Virginia.* 

*  I  have  taken  this  from  that  inexpressibly  silly  book,  Welles' 
Pedigree  and  History  of  the  Washington  Family.  The  will 
agrees  with  the  summary  printed  by  Bishop  Meade,  and  is  ac- 
cepted by  Mr.  William  H.  Whitmore. 


THE 


WILL 


LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON, 


GRANDFATHER  OF 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


IN  the  Name  of  God  amen  I  Lawrence  Washing- 
ton of  Washington  Parish  in  the  County  of  West- 
moreland in  Virginia,  Gentleman,  being  of  Good 
and  perfect  memory,  thanks  be  unto  Almighty  God 
for  it  &  calling  to  mind  the  uncertain  Estate  of 
this  Transitory  life  &  that  all  Flesh  must  yield 
unto  death  when  it  shall  please  God  to  call  me  doe 
make  constitute,  ordain  &  Declare  this  my  last 
will,  and  Testament  in  manner  and  form  following, 
revoking  and  annulling  by  these  presents  all  and 
every  Testament  and  Testaments,  will  or  wills 
heretofore  by  me  made  and  declared  either  by  word 
or  writing  &  this  to  be  taken  only  for  my  last  will 
and  Testament  and  none  other,  and  first  being 
heartily  sorry  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart  for  my 
sins,  most  humbly  desireing  forgiveness  of  the 
same  from  the  Almighty  God  my  saviour  &  Re- 
deemer, in  whome  by  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  I 
Trust  and  believe  assuredly  to  be  saved  and  to  have 
full  remission  &  forgiveness  of  all  my  sins  and  that 
my  soal  with  my  body  at  the  General  day  of  Res- 
urrection shall  rise  again  with  Joy,  and  through 
the  Merits  of  Christs  Death  and  passion,  possess  & 
Inherit  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  prepared  for  his 
Elect  &  chosen  and  my  body  to  be  buried  if  please 
God  I  depart  in  this  County  of  Westmoreland,  by 

(33)  the  side 


34 

the  side  of  my  Father  and  Mother  &  neare  rny 
Brothers  &  Sisters  &  my  children,  and  now  for  the 
setling  of  my  Temporal  Estate  and  such  goods, 
Chatties  and  debts  as  it  hath  pleased  God  far  above 
my  desarts  to  bestow  upon  me  I  doe  ordain  give 
and  bequeath  the  same  in  manner  and  form  follow- 
ing: Imprimis  I  [will]  that  all  those  Debts  and 
dues  that  I  owe  in  right  or  Conscience  to  any  man- 
ner of  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever  shall  be  well 
contented  &  paid  or  ordained  or  demanded  to  be 
paid  by  my  Executors  or  Extx:  hereafter  named. 
Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  well  beloved  friends 
Mr.  William  Thompson  elk  &  Mr.  Samuel  Thomp- 
son each  of  them  a  mourning  Ring  of  Thirty  shill- 
ings value  each  ring:  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to 
my  Godson  Lawrence  Butler  one  young  mare  & 
two  cows:  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  sister 
Anne  Writts*  children  one  man  servant  a  piece  of 
four  or  five  years  to  serve  or  Three  Thousand 
pounds  of  Tobacco  to  purchase  the  same,  to  be  de- 
livered or  paid  to  them  when  they  arrive  to  the  age 
of  Twenty  years  old:  Item  I  give  and  bequeath  to 
my  sister  Lewist  a  morning  Wring  of  forty  shillings 
price:  Item  I  give  to  my  Cuz:  John  Washington 
Sen:  of  Stafford  County  all  my  wearing  apparel: 

*  See  note  on  page  14. 

fjohn  Lewis  married  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Washington — Elizabeth 
Warner. 

Item 


35 

Item  I  give  unto  my  Cozen  John  Washington's 
Eldest  son  Lawrence  Washington  my  Godson  one 
man  servant  of  four  or  five  years  to  serve  or  Three 
Thousand  pounds  of  Tobacco  to  purchase  the 
same:  to  be  paid  him  when  he  conies  to  the  age  of 
Twenty  one  yeare  old:  Item  I  give  to  my  godsons 
Lawrence  Butler  &  Lewis  Nicholas  that  Tract  of 
Land  joining  upon  Meridah  Edwards  and  Daniel 
White,  being  Two  hundred  and  seventy  five  acres 
of  Land  to  be  equally  divided  between  them  and 
their  heirs  forever:  Item  I  give  to  the  upper  and 
Lower  Churches  of  Washington  parish  each  of 
them  a  Pulpett  cloth  &  cushion:  Item  it  is  my  will 
to  have  a  Funeral  sermon  at  the  church,  and  to 
have  none  other  Funeral  to  exceed  Three  Thou- 
sand pounds  of  Tobacco.  Item  it  is  my  will  after  my 
Debts  &  Legacies  are  paid,  that  my  personal  Estate 
be  equally  divided  into  four  parts:  my  loving  Wife 
Mildred  Washington*  to  have  one  part,  my  son 
John  Washington  to  have  another  part,  my  son 
Augustin  Washington  to  have  another  Part,  and 
my  Daughter  Mildred  Washington!  to  have  the 
other  part:  to  be  delivered  to  them  in  specie  when 
they  shall  come  to  the  age  of  Twenty  one  years  old. 
Item  I  give  to  my  son  [John]  Washington  this  seat 

*  Mildred,  Daughter  of  Col.  Augustine  Warner. 

t  Mildred  was  twice  married:    i.   Roger  Gregory;    2.    Col. 
Henry  Willis. 

of  Land 


36 

of  Land  where  I  now  live,  and  that  whole  tract  of 
Land  Lying  from  the  mouth  of  Machodack  extend- 
ing- to  a  place  called  the  round  hills,  with  the  addi- 
tion I  have  thereunto  made  of  William  Webb  and 
William  Rush  to  him  and  heirs  forever.  Item  I 
give  and  bequeath  unto  my  Son  Augustine  Wash- 
ington all  the  dividend  of  Land  that  I  bought  of 
Mr.  Robert  Liston's  Children  in  England  Lying  in 
Mattox,  between  my  Brother  &  Mr.  Balridges 
Land,  where  Mr.  Daniel  Liston  formerly  lived,  by 
Estimation  400  acres  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever,* 
as  Likewise  that  Land  that  was  Richard  Hills: 
Item  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  Son  Augus- 
tine Washington,  all  that  Tract  of  Land  where  Mr. 
Lewis  Markham  now  lives  after  the  said  Mark- 
hams  &  his  now  wife's  decease,  by  estimation  700 
acres  more  or  less  to  him  and  his  heirs  forever: 
Item  I  give  and  bequeath  my  daughter  Mildred 
Washington  all  my  Land  in  Stafford  County,  Ly- 
ing upon  hunting  Creek  where  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
Minton  &  Mrs.  Williams  now  lives  by  Estimation 
2500  acres  to  her  and  her  heirs  forever,  f  Item  I 

*  This  Liston  tract  was  Wakefield,  the  birthplace  of  George 
Washington.  George  Washington  and  Mount  Vernon,  xxv. 
A  very  careful  survey  of  this  place  was  issued  by  the  United 
States  Coast  and  Geodetic  Survey  in  1879. 

fThe  Mount  Vernon  tract.  Roger  and  Mildred  Gregory 
gave  a  release,  17  May,  1726,  to  Augustine  Washington,  for 
2500  acres  of  the  Mount  Vernon  tract,  and  18  October,  1726,  a 
lease  and  release  for  the  land  was  executed. 

give 


37 

give  my  water  mill  to  my  son  John  Washington  to 
him  and  his  heirs  forever:  Item  it  is  my  will  and 
desire  if  either  of  my  children  should  die  before 
they  come  to  age  or  day  of  marriage,  his  or  her 
personal  estate  be  equally  divided  between  the  two 
survivors  and  their  Mother:  Item  it  is  my  will 
and  desire  if  all  my  Children  should  die  before 
they  come  of  age  or  day  of  Marriage,  that  my 
Brother's  children  shall  enjoy  all  their  Estate  real, 
Except  that  Land  that  I  bought  of  Mr.  Robert 
Liston's  children,  which  I  give  to  my  loving  wife 
and  her  heirs  forever,  and  the  rest  as  aforesaid  to 
them  and  their  heirs  forever:  Item  I  give  my  per- 
sonall  Estate  in  case  of  all  my  childrens  death  as 
abovesaid,  to  be  equally  divided  between  my  Wife 
and  Brother's  children,  my  wife  to  have  the  one- 
half:  Item  I  give  that  Land  which  I  bought  of  my 
Brother  Francis  Wright,  being  200  acres  lying  near 
Storkes  Quarter,  to  my  son  John  Washington  and 
his  heirs  for  ever:  Item  It  is  my  desire  that  my 
[estate]  should  not  be  appraised  but  kept  intire  and 
delivered  them  as  above  given  according  to  time  & 
my  Children  to  continue  under  the  care  &  Tuition 
of  their  Mother,  till  they  come  of  age  or  day  of 
marriage,  and  she  to  have  the  profits  of  their  Es- 
tates towards  the  bringing  of  them  up  and  Keep- 
ing them  at  School:  Item  I  doe  ordain  and  appoint 
my  Cozen  John  Washington  of  Stafford  and  my 
friend  Mr.  Samuel  Thompson  my  Executors,  and 

my 


279589 


38 

my  loving  wife  Mildred  Washington  my  Executrix 
of  this  my  last  Will  &  Testament.  In  Witness 
whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  scale  this 
nth  day  of  March  Anno  Dom  169^5. 

LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON.     [Seal.] 

Signed  Seald  declared  &  pronounced  in  presence 
of  us, 

ROBT  REDMAN, 
GEORGE  WEEDON, 
THOMAS  HOWES, 
JOHN  ROSIER. 

WESTMORELAND  Set: 

At  a  Court  held  for  the  said  County  the  3<Dth  day 
of  March  1698. 

The  last  will  and  Testament  of  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington Gent  deced  within  written  was  proved  by 
the  oaths  of  George  Weedon  Thomas  Howes  & 
John  Rosier  Three  of  the  witnesses  thereof  sub- 
scribed, and  a  probate  thereof  Granted  to  Samuel 
Thompson  one  of  the  Executors  therein  named, 
and  the  Will  ordered  to  be  recorded. 

Teste 
JAMES  WESTCOMB,  C.  W.  C. 


THE 
WILL 

OF 

AUGUSTINE  WASHINGTON, 

FATHER  OF 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


IN  the  Name  of  God  Amen.  I  Augustine  Wash- 
ington of  the  County  of  King  George  Gent,  being 
sick  and  weak  but  of  perfect  and  disposing  sence 
and  memory  do  make  my  last  Will  and  Testament 
in  manner  following  hereby  Revoking  all  former 
Will  or  Wills  whatsoever  by  me  heretofore  made 

IMPRIMIS  I  give  unto  my  son  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington &  his  heirs  forever,  all  that  Plantation  and 
Tract  of  Land  at  Hunting  Creek  in  the  County  of 
Prince  William  Containing  by  Estimation  Two 
Thousand  five  hundred  acres  with  the  water  mill 
adjoyning  thereto  or  lying  near  the  same.  And 
all  the  slaves,  Cattle  &  Stocke  of  all  kinds  whatso- 
ever and  all  the  houshold  Furniture  whatsoever 
now  in  &  upon  or  which  have  been  Commonly 
possessed  by  my  said  son  Together  with  the  said 
Plantation  Tract  of  Land  and  Mill. 

ITEM  I  Give  unto  my  son  Augustine  Washing- 
ton* and  his  heirs  for  ever  all  my  Lands  in  the 
County  of  Westmoreland  except  such  only  as  are 
hereinafter  otherwise  disposed  of.  Together  with 
Twenty  five  head  of  Neat  Cattle  forty  hogs  Twenty 
sheep  and  a  Negro  Man  named  Frank  besides  those 
negroes  formerly  given  him  by  his  Mother. 

ITEM  I  Give  unto  my  said  son  Augustine  three 

*  Married  Ann  Aylett 

(41)  young 


42 

young  working  slaves  to  be  purchased  for  him  out 
of  the  first  profits  of  the  Iron  works  after  my  Decease. 

ITEM  I  give  unto  my  son  George  Washington 
and  his  heirs  the  Land  I  now  Live  on  which  I  pur- 
chased of  the  Executrix  of  Mr.  Win.  Strother 
dec'd*  and  one  Moiety  of  my  Land  lying  on  Deep 
Run  and  Ten  Negro  Slaves. 

ITEM  I  give  unto  my  son  Samuel  Washington 
and  his  heirs  my  Land  at  Chotank  in  the  County 
of  Stafford  Containing  about  six  hundred  acres  f 

*Two  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  purchased  by  Augustine 
Washington  of  Margaret  Grant,  Executrix  of  William  Strother, 
3  November,  1738.  Conway. 

t  A  tract  of  land,  "  containing  five  hundred  and  thirty-three 
acres,  more  or  less,  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  Chotank," 
was  devised  by  will  (1698)  of  John  Withers  to  his  daughter 
Sarah,  during  her  life,  and  after  her  decease,  to  his  cousin  Wil- 
liam Withers,  and  the  heirs  male  of  his  body.  In  default  of 
such  heirs,  the  land  was  to  go  to  Thomas  Withers,  of  Lancaster, 
in  Great  Britain,  and  his  heir  male.  William  never  married, 
and  Thomas,  dying  in  England,  the  land  went  to  his  eldest 
son  Edmund  Withers,  and  at  his  death  passed  to  his  brother 
William.  By  his  death  the  title  became  vested  in  his  son 
Thomas,  who  died  leaving  a  son  William.  In  the  meantime 
Sarah  had  lived  upon  the  place,  married  Christopher  Conoway, 
and,  after  his  death,  conveyed  the  laud  to  Augustine  Washington 
(12  June,  1727).  By  his  will  he  left  it  to  his  son  Samuel,  but 
apparently  doubted  his  complete  title,  for  he  provides  an 
equivalent  in  case  the  land  was  not  yielded  to  Samuel.  Wil- 
liam Withers  did  dispute  the  title,  and  Augustine  paid  him 
;£6oo  current  money  of  the  colony  to  quiet  Withers'  claim,  and 
the  Assembly  by  special  act  gave  a  full  possession  to  Samuel 
and  his  heirs.  Hening^s  Statutes,  vi.,  513. 

and  also 


43 

and  also  the  other  moiety  of  my  Land  lying  on 
Deep  Run. 

ITEM  I  give  unto  my  son  John  Washington*  and 
his  heirs  my  Land  at  the  head  of  Maddox  in  the 
County  of  Westmoreland  Containing  about  seven 
hundred  acres. 

ITEM  I  give  unto  my  son  Charles  Washingtonf 
and  his  heirs  the  Land  I  purchased  of  my  son 
Lawrence  Washington  (whereon  Thomas  Lewis 
now  Lives)  adjoyning  to  my  said  son  Lawrence's 
Land  above  devised  I  also  Give  unto  my  said  son 
Charles  &  his  heirs  the  Land  I  purchased  of 
Gabriel  Adams  in  the  County  of  Prince  William 
Containing  about  seven  hundred  acres. 

ITEM  It  is  my  will  &  desire  that  all  the  Rest  of 
my  Negroes  not  herein  particularly  Devised  may 
be  equally  Divided  between  my  wife  and  my  three 
sons,  Samuel,  John  and  Charles  &  that,  Ned,  Jack, 
Bob,  Sue  &  Lucy  may  be  Included  in  my  wifes 
part,  which  part  of  my  said  wife  after  her  decease 
I  Desire  may  be  equally  divided  between  my  sons 
George,  Samuel,  John  &  Charles  and  the  part  of 
my  said  Negro's  so  devised  to  my  wife!  I  mean  & 
Intend  to  be  in  full  satisfaction  &  Lieu  of  her 
Dower  in  my  Negro's.  But  if  she  should  insist 

*John  Augustine  Washington,  married  Hannah  Bushrod. 
f  Married  Mildred  Thornton, 
it  Mary  Ball. 

notwithstanding 


44 

notwithstanding  on  her  Right  of  Dower  in  my 
Negro's  I  will  &  desire  that  so  many  as  may  be 
wanting  to  make  up  her  share  may  be  taken  out  of 
the  Negro's  given  hereby  to  my  sons  George, 
Sam*.  John  and  Charles. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  said  wife 
and  my  four  sons,  George,  Samuel,  John  and 
Charles  all  the  rest  of  my  personal  Estate  to  be 
equally  Divided  between  them  which  is  not  partic- 
ularly by  this  my  will.  And  it  is  my  Will  and  de- 
sire that  my  said  four  son's  Estates  may  be  kept  in 
my  wife's  hand  untill  they  respectively  attain  the 
Age  of  Twenty  one  years  in  Case  my  wife  Con- 
tinues so  long  unmarried,  but  in  Case  she  should 
happen  to  marry  before  that  time,  I  Desire  it  may 
be  in  the  power  of  my  Executors  to  oblige  her  hus- 
band from  time  to  time  as  they  shall  think  proper 
to  give  Security  for  the  performance  of  this  my 
Last  Will  in  paying  and  Delivering  my  four  sons 
their  Estates  respectively  as  they  Come  of  age,  or 
on  failure  to  give  such  Security  to  take  my  said 
Sons  &  their  Estates  out  of  the  Custody  &  Tuition 
of  my  said  wife  and  her  Husband. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  wife 
the  Crops  made  a*t  Bridge  Creek,  Chotank  and 
Rappahannock  Quarters  at  the  time  of  my  Decease 
for  the  support  of  herself  and  her  Children  and  I 
desire  my  wife  may  have  the  Liberty  of  working 
my  Land  at  Bridge  Creek  Quarter  for  the  term  of 

Five 


45 

Five  Years  next  after  my  Decease  during  which 
time  she  may  fix  a  Quarter  on  Deep  Run.* 

ITEM  I  give  to  my  son  Lawrence  Washington  and 
the  heirs  of  his  Body  Lawfully  begotten  that  Tract 
of  Land  I  purchased  of  Mr.  James  Nore  adjoining 
to  the  said  Law.  Washington's  Land  on  Mattox  in 
the  County  of  Westmoreland  which  I  Gave  him 
in  Lieu  of  the  Land  my  said  son  bought  for  me  in 
prince  William  County  of  Spencer  &  Harrison 
and  -for  want  of  such  heirs  I  give  and  devise  the 
same  to  my  son  Augustine  and  his  heirs  for- 
ever, t 

ITEM  I  give  to  my  said  son  Lawrence  all  the 
right  Title  and  Interest  I  have  to  in  or  out  of  the 
Iron  works  in  which  I  am  Concerned  in  Virginia 
&  Maryland  provided  that  he  do  and  shall  out  of 
the  profits  raised  thereby  purchase  for  my  said 
Augustine  three  Young  Working  Slaves  as  I  have 
hereinbefore  directed,  and  also  pay  ing  my  Daughter 
Betty  when  she  arrives  to  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  the  sum  of  four  hundred  pounds,  which 
Right  Title  &  Interest  on  the  Condition  aforesaid 

*  Post. 

f  By  a  lease  dated  30  July,  1708,  Francis  Spencer  leased  to 
William  Harrison,  200  acres  of  land  on  Dogne  River.  William 
Spencer  in  1739  gave  a  release  to  Lawrence  Washington  for  200 
acres  of  land  in  Prince  William  County;  and  in  1739  a  similar 
release  was  given  for  land  in  the  same  county  by  George  Har- 
rison. 

I  give 


46 

I  give  to  my  said  son  Lawrence  and  his  heirs  for- 
ever. * 

*  These  shares  were  in  the  Principle*  company,  composed  of 
English  ironmasters  and  capitalists,  which  opened  works  in 
Maryland  in  1715,  and  existed  for  more  than  sixty  years.  After 
establishing  the  Maryland  works,  the  company  were  negotiat- 
ing the  purchase  of  some  of  Augustine  Washington's  land  in 
Virginia;  and  in  1725  a  furnace  at  Accokeek,  in  King  George 
County,  fourteen  miles  from  Fredericksburg,  was  located. 
Augustine's  connection  with  the  company  probably  dates  from 
this  purchase,  and  he  doubtless  received  a  share  in  the  under- 
taking, a  contract  for  raising  the  ore  and  carting  it  to  the  fur- 
nace, and  probably  a  bonus  mentioned  in  the  following  letter: 
"As  to  ye  deriding  ye  shares  of  ye  new  'founded  works  in  Vir- 
ginia, have  advised  with  a  Counselor  about  it  ...  who  tells 
me  yt  except  some  persons  here  is  appointed  yr  lawful  aturney, 
by  a  power  of  atturney  from  you  to  signe  for  you  here,  yt  if 
your  deed  or  deeds  come  over  for  you  to  signe  in  England  and 
either  of  you  should  dy  before,  or  alter  your  minds  yt  you  dont 
sign,  than  it  setts  Washington  at  liberty  and  all  ye  work  is  at  an 
end.  .  .  .  But  think  a  twelfth  too  small  for  myselfe  in  this  con- 
cerne  .  .  .If  you  see  fitt  to  make  Capt.  Washington  a  small 
present  of  wine  (along  y«  Virginia  Cargo)  and  to  signifie  to  him 
yt  what  I  have  done  with  him  on  yr  behalfe  you  like  and  ap- 
prove on,  or  to  that  effect,  yt  I  leave  to  your  Consideration 
either  to  do  it  or  not."  Letter  of  John  England,  5  January, 
1725.  Some  twenty-five  years  after  (1753)  the  supply  of  ore  at 
Accokeek  failed,  ' '  the  movable  effects  were  distributed  among 
the  other  works,  slaves  and  store -goods,  horses,  cattle,  and 
wagons  were  sold,  and  the  business  in  Virginia,  as  far  as  related 
to  iron-making,  was  gradually  closed  up,  some  of  the  real  es- 
tate being  sold  in  1767."  At  the  death  of  Augustine,  his  share 
went  to  Lawrence,  who  also  appears  to  have  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position  in  its  affairs,  for  he  signed  on  behalf  of  the  com- 
pany the  important  purchase  of  the  Lancashire  furnace  (1751). 

Item 


47 

ITEM  I  give  unto  my  said  Daughter  Betty  a 
Negro  Child  named  Mary  Daughter  of  Sue,  & 
another  named  Betty  Daughter  of  Judy. 

ITEM  it  is  my  will  &  desire  that  my  sons  Law- 
rence and  Augustine  do  pay  out  of  the  respective 
Estates  devised  to  them  one  half  or  moiety  of  the 
Debts  I  Justly  owe  and  for  that  purpose  I  give  and 
Bequeath  unto  my  said  Two  sons  one  half  of  the 
Debts  due  &  owing  to  me. 

ITEM  Forasmuch  as  my  several  Children  in  this 
my  will  mentioned  being  by  several  Ventures  can- 
not inherit  from  one  another  in  order  to  make  a 
proper  Provision  ag*  their  dying  without  Issue.  It 
is  my  will  and  desire  that  in  Case  my  son  Lawrence 
should  dye  without  heirs  of  his  body  Lawfully  be- 
gotten that  then  the  Land  and  Mill  given  him  by 
this  my  Will  lying  in  the  County  of  Prince  Wil- 
liam shall  go  &  remain  to  my  son  George  &  his 
heirs,  but  in  Case  my  son  Augustine  should  Choose 
to  have  the  said  Lands  Rather  than  the  Lands  he 
holds  in  Maddox  either  by  this  will  or  any  settle- 
England's  letter  indicated  a  division  of  the  company's  capital 
into  twelve  shares,  and  Augustine  must  have  received  .one  un- 
divided share.  In  1780,  when  the  property  of  the  company  had 
been  confiscated  as  British  possession,  it  was  represented  that  a 
"certain  Mr.  Washington,  a  subject  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  is 
entitled  to  one  undivided  twelfth  part  thereof" — showing  the 
share  still  intact.  These  facts  are  given  in  a  series  of  articles 
by  Mr.  Henry  Whitely,  on  the  Principio  Company,  printed  in 
the  Pennsylvania  Magazine  of  History  and  Biography,  1887. 

me  nt 


48 

ment  Then  I  give  &  devise  the  said  Lands  in  Prince 
William  to  rny  said  Son  Augustine  and  his  heirs, 
on  his  Conveying  the  said  Lands  in  Maddox  to  my 
said  son  George  and  his  heirs  And  in  Case  my  said 
son  Augustine  shall  happen  to  die  without  Issue  of 
his  Body  Lawfully  begotten  Then  I  give  and  be- 
queath all  the  said  Lands  by  him  held  in  Maddox 
to  my  said  son  George  and  his  heirs.  And  if  both 
my  sons  Lawrence  and  Augustine  should  happen 
to  die  without  Issue  of  their  several  Body's  begotten 
Then  my  will  &  desire  is  that  my  son  George  and  his 
heirs  may  have  his  and  their  Choice  either  to  have 
the  Lands  of  my  son  Lawrence  or  the  Lands  of  my 
son  Augustine  to  hold  to  him  and  his  heirs  and  the 
Land  of  such  of  my  said  sons  Lawrence  or  Aug- 
ustine as  shall  not  be  so  Chosen  by  my  son  George 
or  his  heirs  shall  go  to  and  be  equally  Divided 
among  my  sons  Samuel  John  &  Charles  and  their 
heirs  share  and  share  alike  and  in  Case  my  son 
George  by  the  death  of  both  or  either  of  my  sons 
Lawrence  &  Augustine  should  according  to  this 
my  Intention  come  to  be  possessed  of  either  of  the 
Lands  then  my  will  &  desire  is  that  y?  Land 
hereby  devised  to  my  said  son  George  and  his  heirs 
should  Go  over  and  be  equally  divided  between  my 
sons  Samuel  &  John  and  their  heirs  share  and 
share  alike.  And  in  Case  all  my  children  by  my 
present  wife  should  happen  to  die  without  Issue  of 
their  Body's  Then  my  will  and  desire  is  that  all  the 

Lands 


49 

Lands  by  this  my  will  devised  to  any  of  my  said 
Children  should  go  to  my  sons  Augustine  &  Law- 
rence if  Living  &  to  their  heirs  or  if  one  of  them 
should  be  dead  without  Issue  then  to  the  Survivor 
&  his  heirs,  but  my  true  Intent  and  meaning  is 
that  each  of  my  Children  by  my  present  wife  may 
have  their  Lands  in  fee  simple  upon  the  Contin- 
gency, of  their  arriving  at  full  age  or  Leaving  heirs 
of  their  Body's  Lawfully  begotten  or  on  their  daying 
under  age  and  without  Lawfull  Issue  their  several 
parts  to  descend  from  one  to  another  according  to 
their  Course  of  descents,  and  the  Remainder  over  of 
their  or  any  of  their  Land  in  the  Clause  mentioned 
to  my  sons  Lawrence  &  Augustine  or  the  Survivor 
of  them  is  only  upon  the  Contingency  of  all  my 
said  Children  by  my  present  wife  dying  under  age 
or  without  Issue  Living  my  sons  Lawrence  and 
Augustine  or  either  of  them. 

LASTLY  I  Constitute  and  appoint  my  son  Law- 
rence Washington  and  my  good  Friends  Daniel  Mc- 
Carty  and  Nathaniel  Chapman,  Gent.  Executors  of 
this  my  Last  Will  and  Testament.  In  witness 
whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  &  Seal  the 
Eleventh  day  of  April  1743. 

AUGUS.  WASHINGTON.     [SEAL.] 

Signed  sealed  and  Published 
In  the  presence  of  us 

ROB:  JACKSON, 

ANTHONY  STROTHER, 

JAS  THOMSON. 

Provided 


50 

Provided  further  that  if  my  Lands  at  Chotank 
devised  to  my  son  Samuel  should  by  Course  of 
Law  be  taken  away  then  I  give  to  the  said  Samuel 
in  Lieu  thereof  a  Tract  of  Land  in  Westmoreland 
County  where  Benj?  Weeks  and  Thomas  Finch 
now  lives  by  estimation  seven  hundred  acres. 
ITEM  I  bequeath  to  my  son  George  One  Lot  of 
Land  in  the  Town  of  Fredericksburgh  which  I 
purchased  of  Col?  John  Waller  also  two  other  Lots 
in  the  said  Town  which  I  purchased  of  the  Execu- 
tors of  Col?  Henry  Willis  with  all  the  houses  and 
Appurtenances  thereunto  belonging.  *  AND  whereas 
some  proposals  have  been  made  by  MT  Anthony 
Strother  for  purchasing  a  piece  of  Land  where  Ma- 
thew  Tiffy  Lately  liv'd  now  if  my  Executors  shall 
think  it  for  the  Benefit  of  my  son  George  then  I 
hereby  empower  them  to  make  a  Conveyance  of 
the  said  Land  and  Premises  to  the  said  Strother. 
IN  WITNESS  whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  scale  the  eleventh  day  of  April  1743. 

AUGUS.  WASHINGTON.     [SEAL.] 

Signed  sealed  and  Published 
In  the  presence  of  us 

ROB:  JACKSON, 

ANTHONY  STROTHER, 

JA?  THOMSON. 

*  "Deeds  for  Lots  in  the  town  of  Fredericksburg,  of  no  Value 
to  the  Subscriber  being  sold  by  the  Ex'r  of  his  Father,  for  his 
benefit,  and  the  hands  into  which  they  are  got  unknown  to  G. 
Washington."  MS.  memorandum  of  Washington. 

At  a 


At  a  Court  held  for  King  George  County  the  6° 
day  of  May  1743. 

The  Last  Will  and  Testament  of  Augustine 
Washington  Gent  was  presented  into  Court  by 
Lawrence  Washington  one  of  his  Executors  who 
made  Oath  thereto  and  the  same  was  proved  by  the 
Oath  of  Anthony  Strother  and  James  Thompson 
and  admitted  to  Record. 

Cop*  Test 
HARRY  TURNER, 

Cl.  Cur.* 

*  "  Wakefield,"  on  Pope's  Creek,  was  devised  by  the  immi- 
grant John  to  his  son,  Lawrence,  from  whom  it  passed  at  his 
death  to  his  wife,  and  then  to  his  son  John.  It  is  said  that  this 
John  sold  the  tract  to  his  brother  Augustine,  the  father  of 
George,  and  was  left  by  him  to  his  son,  Augustine,  a  half- 
brother  of  George.  Augustine  left  it,  with  other  property  in 
Westmoreland  County,  to  his  son  William  Augustine,  and  the 
latter  gave  it  to  his  son,  George  Corbin  Washington,  who  sold 
it  to  John  Gray,  reserving  a  space  of  sixty  feet  square  around 
the  site  of  the  house,  where  George  Washington  was  born,  and 
another  of  twenty  feet  square  around  the  burial  ground  and 
vault  of  the  Washington  family.  Lewis  William,  a  son  and 
heir  at  law  of  George  Corbin  Washington,  ceded  these  reserva- 
tions to  "the  mother  state  of  Virginia,  in  perpetuity,  on  con- 
dition solely  that  the  State  require  the  said  places  to  be  perma- 
nently enclosed  with  an  iron  fence  based  on  stone  foundations, 
together  with  suitable  and  modest  (though  substantial)  tablets, 
to  commemorate  to  the  rising  generation  these  notable  spots." 
The  grant  was  accepted  and  $5,000  appropriated  to  make  good 
the  conditions  on  which  the  grant  was  made. 

In  1815  George  Washington  Parke  Custis  had  with  theatrical 


52 

effects  placed  a  slab  of  freestone  to  mark  the  birthplace,  bear- 
ing this  inscription: 

Here 

the  nth  of  February,  1732 
George  Washington 

was  born. 
Before  1860  this  slab  had  broken  into  three  pieces. 


EDMD  PENDLETON  TO  GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 

3d  July  1769. 
Z> :  Sir 

I  have  at  last  found  leizure  to  peruse  &  consider 
the  papers  you  left  with  me  for  my  opinion  on  the  na- 
ture of  your  Interest  in  your  Fairfax  Lands.* 

The  deed  of  Settlement  made  by  your  Father  on 
your  brother  Lawrence  is  long  &  complicated  occa- 
sioned chiefly  by  an  Intention  to  provide  against  the 
contingencie  of  the  Prince  W™  Lands  which  were  the 
subject  of  that  deed  &  the  Westmorland  Lands  For- 
merly settled  upon  Augustine,  from  coming  into  the 
same  hands  by  the  death  of  one  of  your  brothers  with- 
out Issue,  but  as  I  take  it  for  granted  that  your  brother 
Aug*  chose  to  keep  the  Westmorld  Lands,  and  not  to 

*  Ann,  the  widow  of  Lawrence  Washington,  married  George 
Lee,  of  Westmoreland.  Her  life  interest  in  Mount  Vernon 
and  the  slaves,  with  a  grist  mill,  was  made  over  to  George 
Washington  by  a  deed,  recorded  17  December,  1754,  in  consid- 
eration of  an  annual  payment  of  fifteen  thousand  pounds  of 
tobacco  in  fifteen  hogsheads,  to  be  delivered  at  the  warehouses 
in  Fairfax  county,  or  12  shillings  six  pence,  current  money, 
for  every  hundred  weight  of  tobacco.  The  average  annual  sum 
paid  under  this  agreement  was  ^87.  On  her  death,  the  Mount 
Vernon  estate  became  the  property  of  George,  but  by  the  terms 
of  Lawrence's  will,  he  had  only  a  life  estate.  It  was  this  pro- 
vision of  Lawrence's  will  that  led  George  to  consult  Pendleton 
upon  his  right  to  dispose  of  the  Mt.  Vernon  lands. 

An  opinion  by  Judge  Bushrod  Washington  was  sold  at  the 
Philadelphia  sale,  but  I  am  unable  to  trace  its  possession. 

(53)  give 


54 

give  them  up  &  take  to  the  Prince  William  Lands  as 
he  had  power  to  do  upon  the  death  of  Lawrence  without 
Issue,  great  part  of  that  settlement  is  of  little  conse- 
quence, as  to  the  Point  you  now  want  to  be  satisfied  in. 

The  Prince  William  Lands  then  are  limited  to  Law- 
rence in  fee  simple  upon  the  Contingencie  of  his  leaving 
Issue  at  his  death.  He  takes  Notice  of  a  daughter*  in 
his  will  &  if  she  survived  him,  your  fathers  Will  has 
no  operation  upon  the  estate,  but  it  must  go  according 
to  the  Will  of  yT  brother  Lawrence  by  which  you  take 
an  estate  tail,  with  a  remainder  to  your  brother  Aug*  in 
fee  simple;  for  tho'  the  words  of  the  devising  clause 
would  give  you  a  fee,  yet  by  a  Subsequent  one  he  di- 
rects that  if  you,  Sam1.  John  &  Charles  or  any  of  you, 
die  without  Lawful  Issue  such  Land  as  was  given  you 
or  any  of  you,  should  become  the  property  of  his 
brother  Augustine  &  his  heirs  forever,  which  changes 
your  and  their  Estates  in  all  the  Lands  Claimed 
under  his  will,  into  estates  tail. 

If  indeed  the  daughter  of  Lawrence  died  before  him, 
then  as  he  left  no  Issue,  the  Land  by  the  settlement 
was  to  be  subject  to  your  fathers  disposition  and  by  his 
Will  you  have  a  fee  simple  in  the  Prince  William 
Lands,  under  the  Remainder  limited  to  you  if  Law. 
died  without  Issue,  since  one  of  the  contingencies  upon 
wS11  you  were  to  have  a  fee,  has  happened,  that  of  your 
arriving  to  full  age,  Altho'  you  have  no  Issue.  If  this 
latter  was  the  case,  and  you  would  choose  to  support 
yr.  fee  simple,  it  might  be  proper  to  bring  a  Bill  in 

*  Sarah. 

Chancery 


55 

Chancery  to  Perpetuate  testimony  to  prove  the  fact  of 
her  dying  before  her  father,  as  without  testimony  the 
presumption  would  be  that  she  survived,  being  named 
in  his  Will;  Nothing  Further  Occurs  to  me  necessary 
to  be  mentioned.  I  am,  Sir, 

Your  Mo.  OW  hble  Serv' 
EDM?  PENDLETON. 


WILL 
OP 

MARY  (BALL)  WASHINGTON, 

MOTHER  OF 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


In  the  Name  of  God!  amen — I  Mary  Washington 
of  Fredericks*  in  the  County  of  Spotsylvania,  being 
in  good  health,  but  calling  to  mind  the  uncertainty 
of  this  Life  and  willing  to  dispose  of  what  remains 
of  my  worldly  Estate,  do  make  &  publish  this  my 
last  will,  recommending  my  Soul  into  the  Hands  of 
my  Creator,  hoping  for  a  remission  of  all  my  sins 
through  the  merits  &  mediation  of  JESUS  CHRIST, 
the  saveour  of  Mankind;  I  dispose  of  all  my  worldly 
Estate  as  follows — 

IMPRIMIS  I  give  to  my  Son  General  George 
Washington  all  my  lands  on  Accokeek  Run  in  the 
County  of  Stafford  &  also  my  Negroe  Boy  George 
to  him  and  his  Heirs  forever.  &  also  my  best  bed, 
beadstead  of  Virginia  Cloth  Curtains  (the  same 
that  stands  in  my  best  Room)  my  quilted  blue  & 
white  Quilt  &  my  best  dressing  Glass — 

ITEM  I  give  and  devise  to  my  son  Charles  Wash- 
ington my  negroe  Man  Tom  to  him  &  his  assigns 
for  ever. 

ITEM  I  give  and  devise  to  my  Daughter  Betty 
Lewis  my  Phaeton  &  my  bay  Horse 

ITEM  I  give  &  devise  to  my  Daughter  in  Law 
Hannah  Washington  my  purple  Cloath  cloak  lined 
with  Shag. 

ITEM  I  give  &  devise  to  my  grandson  Corbin 

Washington 
(59) 


6o 

Washington  my  Negroe  wench  Old  Bet  my  riding 
Chair  &  two  blk  Horses,  to  him  and  his  assigns  for 
ever. 

ITEM  I  give  and  devise  to  my  grandson  Fielding 
Lewis  my  Negroe  man  Frederick  to  him  &  his  as- 
signs for  ever,  also  eight  silver  tablespoons,  half 
my  crokery  ware,  of  the  blue  &  white  Tea  *  *  * 
book  case,  table,  my  Bed  bedstead,  one  pr 

sheets,  one  pr.  blankets  &  white  cotton  counter- 
paine,  two  table  cloaths,  six  red  leather  chairs,  half 
my  pewter  &  one  half  of  my  Iron  kitchen  Furni- 
ture— 

ITEM  I  give  and  devise  to  my  grandson  Lawrence 
Lewis  my  negro  wench  Lydia  to  him  and  his  as- 
signs for  ever. 

ITEM  I  give  and  devise  to  my  grand  daughter 
Betty  Carter  my  negro  woman  little  Bet  &  her 
future  increase  to  her  and  her  assigns  for  ever — 
also  my  largest  looking  glass,  my  walnut  writing 
Desk  with  Drawers,  a  square  dining  Table,  one 
Bed,  Bedstead,  bolster,  one  pillow,  one  blanket  & 
pr.  sheets,  white  Virginia  cloth  Counterpane  &  pur- 
ple Curtains,  my  red  and  white  tea  China, 
spoons,  &  the  other  half  of  my  pewter,  crokery  ware, 
&  the  remainder  of  my  Iron  kitchen  Furniture. 

ITEM  I  give  to  my  grand  Son  George  Washing- 
ton my  next  best  best  dressing  Glass  one  Bead, 
Bedstead  bolster,  i  pillow,  i  pr.  sheet,  Blanket  & 

counterpaine. 

ITEM 


6i 

ITEM  I  devise  all  my  wearing  apparel  to  be 
equally  divided  between  my  grand  Daughters, 
Betty  Carter,  Fanny  Ball,  &  Milly  Washington — 
but  shou'd  my  Daughter  Betty  Lewis  fancy  any 
one  two  or  three  articles,  she  is  to  have  them  be- 
fore a  division  thereof — 

LASTLY  I  nominate  &  appoint  my  said  son  Gen- 
eral George  Washington  Executor  of  this  my  will. 
And  as  I  owe  few  or  no  debts,  I  direct  my  Executor 
to  give  no  security,  nor  to  appraise  my  Estate,  but 
desire  the  same  may  be  allotted  to  my  Devisees 
with  as  little  trouble  &  delay  as  may  be — desiring 
their  acceptance  thereof  as  a  little  Token  I  now 
have  to  give  them  of  my  love  for  them.  In  witness 
whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my  Hand  and  seal  this 
2Oth  day  of  May  1788. 

MARY  WASHINGTON. 

Signed  sealed  and  published  in  our  presence  & 
signed  by  us  in  the  presence  of  the  sd  Mary  Wash- 
ington &  at  her  desire. 

js  MERCER 
JOSEPH  WALKER 

At  a  Court  of  Hustings  held  for  the  town  &  Cor- 
poration of  Fredericksburg  the  23^  day  of  October 
1789. 

The  last  Will  and  Testament  of  Mary  Washing- 
ton Dec4  was  proved  by  the  Oath  of  James  Mercer, 

Esq. 


62 

Esq.  one  of  the  Witnesses  thereto  and  Ordered  to 
be  certified. 

Teste 

JN?  CHEW,  C.  C.  H. 

At  a  Court  of  Hustings  held  for  the  Town  &  Cor- 
poration of  Fredericksburg  the  22*?  day  of  October 
1804 

The  last  will  &  testament  of  Mary  Washington, 
dec4  was  further  proved  by  the  Oath  of  Joseph 
Walker,  another  Witness  thereto  and  ordered  to  be 
Recorded. 

Teste 

JN?  CHEW,  C.  C.  H.* 

*  This  will  was  reproduced  in  fac-simile  and  printed  in  the 
Magazine  of  American  History,  March,  1887,  in  one  of  Mr. 
Conway's  articles  on  Fredericksburg. 

Joseph  Ball  had  left  to  his  sister  "400  acres  of  land  in  Rich- 
mond county,  in  ye  freshes  of  Rappahn.  River."  This  property 
she  conveyed  21  May,  1778,  to  John  Augustine  Washington,  and 
the  land  was  described  as  lying  near  Fredericksburg.  Her  hus- 
band had  given  her  the  privilege  of  working  his  land  at  the 
Bridge  Creek  quarter  for  five  years  after  his  decease,  "during 
which  time  she  may  fix  a  quarter  on  Deep  Run;"  but  the  land 
on  Deep  Run  was  divided  between  George  and  Samuel.  "As 
my  mother's  term  of  years  is  out  at  the  place  at  Bridge  Creek, 
she  designs  to  settle  a  quarter  on  the  piece  at  Deep  Run,  but 
seems  backward  in  doing  it  till  the  right  is  made  good  for  fear 
of  accident."  George  Washington  to  Lawrence  Washington,  5 
May,  1749.  On  Fry  and  Jefferson's  map  Deep  Run  is  placed 
about  seven  miles  above  Falmouth,  and  Deep  Creek  is  down  by 
"Moratico,"  the  Joseph  Ball  place,  the  distance  between  the 


63 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  MRS.    BETTY  LEWIS. 

NEW  YORK,  13  September,  1789. 
My  dear  Sister, 

Colonel  Ball's*  letter  gave  me  the  first  account  of 
my  mother's  death. t  Since  that  I  have  received  Mrs. 
Carter's  letter,  written  at  your  request,  and  previous  to 
both  I  was  prepared  for  the  event  by  some  advices  of 
her  illness  communicated  to  your  son  Robert. 

Awful  and  affecting  as  the  death  of  a  parent  is,  there 
is  consolation  in  knowing,  that  heaven  has  spared  ours 
to  an  age  beyond  which  few  attain,  and  favored  her 
with  the  full  enjoyment  of  her  mental  faculties,  and  as 
much  bodily  strength  as  usually  falls  to  the  lot  of  four 
score.  Under  these  considerations,  and  a  hope  that  she 
is  translated  to  a  happier  place,  it  is  the  duty  of  her 
relatives  to  yield  due  submission  to  the  decrees  of 
the  Creator.  When  I  was  last  at  Fredericksburg,  I 
took  a  final  leave  of  my  mother,  never  expecting  to  see 
her  more. 

It  will  be  impossible  for  me  at  this  distance,  and  cir- 
cumstanced as  I  am,  to  give  the  smallest  attention  to 
the  execution  of  her  will ;  nor  indeed  is  much  required, 

two  being  more  than  fifty  miles.  It  is  probable  that  Deep  Run 
was  the  place,  and  that  Mrs.  Washington  did  remove  there  and 
set  up  a  quarter,  as  Washington  visits  her  in  passing  from 
Dumfries  to  Fredericksburg. 

*Burges  Ball. 

fMary  Washington  died  at  Fredericksburg,  August  25th, 
1789,  in  the  eighty -third  year  of  her  age.  She  had  been  a 
widow  forty-six  years.  General  Washington's  father  died  on 
the  I2th  of  April,  1743. 

if, 


64 

if,  as  she  directs,  no  security  should  be  given,  or  ap- 
praisement made  of  her  estate;  but  that  the  same 
should  be  allotted  to  the  devisees  with  as  little  trouble 
and  delay  as  may  be.  How  far  this  is  legal,  I  know 
not.  Mr.  Mercer  can,  and  I  have  no  doubt  would, 
readily  advise  you  if  asked,  which  I  wish  you  to  do. 
If  the  ceremony  of  inventorying,  appraising,  &c.  can 
be  dispensed  with,  all  the  rest,  (as  the  will  declares 
thatjfew  or  no  debts  are  owing,)  can  be  done  with  very 
little  trouble.  Every  .person  may  in  that  case  immedi- 
ately receive  what  is  specifically  devised.  The  negroes 
who  are  engaged  in  the  crops  and  under  an  overseer, 
must  remain  I  conceive  on  the  plantation  until  the 
crop  is  finished  (which  ought  to  be  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible) after  which  the  horses,  stock  of  all  sorts,  and 
every  species  of  property  not  disposed  of  by  the  will, 
(the  debts  if  any  being  first  paid)  must  by  law  be 
equally  divided  into  five  parts  one  of  which  you,  an- 
other my  Brother  Charles  and  a  third  tc^self  are  en- 
titled to,  the  other  two  thirds  fall  to  the  share  of  the 
children  of  our  deceased  brothers  Samuel  and  John. 

Were  it  not,  that  the  specific  legacies,  which  are 
given  to  me  by  the  will,  are  meant  and  ought  to  be 
considered  and  received  as  mementos  of  parental  affec- 
tion, in  the  last  solemn  act  of  life,  I  should  not  be  de- 
sirous of  receiving  or  removing  them  ;  but  in  this  point 
of  view  I  set  a  value  on  them  much  beyond  their  in- 
trinsic worth. 

Whilst  it  occurs  to  me,  it  is  necessary  it  should  be 
known  that  there  is  a  fellow  belonging  to  that  estate 
now  at  my  house,  who  never  stayed  elsewhere,  for 

which 


65 

which  reason,  and  because  he  has  a  family  I  should  be 
glad  to  keep  him.  He  must  I  should  conceive  be  far 
short  in  value  of  the  fifth  of  the  other  negroes  which 
will  be  to  be  divided,  but  I  shall  be  content  to  take  him 
as  my  proportion  of  them — and,  if  from  a  misconcep- 
tion either  of  the  number  or  the  value  of  these  negroes 
it  should  be  found  that  he  is  of  greater  value  than  falls 
to  my  lot  I  shall  readily  allow  the  difference,  in  order 
that  the  fellow  may  be  gratified,  as  he  never  would 
consent  to  go  from  me. 

Debts,  if  any  are  due,  should  be  paid  from  the  sale 
of  the  crops,  Plantation  utensils,  Horses  and  Stock, 
and  the  sooner  an  account  is  taken  of  the  latter  and 
they  can  conveniently  be  disposed  of,  the  better  it  will 
be  for  two  reasons  ;  first  because  the  Overseer  (if  he  is 
not  a  very  honest  man)  may  take  advantage  of  circum- 
stances,' and  convert  part  of  these  things  to  his  own  use 
— and  secondly  because  the  Season  is  now  fast  ap- 
proaching when  without  feeding  (which  would  lessen 
the  sale  of  the  corn  and  fodder)  the  stock  will  fall  off, 
and  consequently  sell  to  a  disadvantage.  Whether  my 
Mother  has  kept  any  accounts  that  can  be  understood 
is  more  than  I  am  able  to  say — If  any  thing  is  owing  to 
her  it  should  be  received — and,  if  due  from  her,  paid 
after  due  proof  thereof  is  made — She  has  had  a  great 
deal  of  money  from  me  at  times,  as  can  be  made  appear 
by  my  books,  and  the  accounts  of  Mr.  1,.  Washington 
during  my  absence; — and  over  and  above  this  has  not 
only  had  all  that  was  ever  made  from  the  Plantation 
but  got  her  provisions  and  every  thing  else  she  thought 
proper  from  thence.  In  short  to  the  best  of  my  recol- 
lection 


66 

lection  I  have  never  in  my  life  received  a  copper  from 
the  estate — and  have  paid  many  hundred  pounds  (first 
and  last)  to  her  in  cash — However  I  want  no  retribu- 
tion— I  conceived  it  to  be  a  duty  whenever  she  asked 
for  money,  and  I  had  it,  to  furnish  her,  notwithstand- 
ing she  got  all  the  crops  or  the  amount  of  them  and 
took  every  thing  she  wanted  from  the  plantation  for 
the  support  of  her  family,  horses  &c.  besides. 

As  the  accounts  for  or  against  the  estate  must  not 
only  from  the  declaration  in  the  will,  but  from  the 
nature  of  the  case  be  very  trifling  and  confined  I  should 
suppose  to  the  town  of  Fredericksburg,  it  might  be 
proper  therefore  in  that  paper  to  require  in  an  adver- 
tisement all  those  who  have  any  demands  to  bring 
them  in  properly  attested  immediately,  and  those  who 
are  owing  to  pay  forthwith.  The  same  advertisement 
might  appoint  a  day  for  selling  the  stock,  and  every 
thing,  excepting  Negroes,  at  the  plantation,  that  is 
not  devised  by  the  will,  as  it  will  be  more  convenient 
I  should  suppose  for  the  heirs  to  receive  their  respective 
dividends  of  the  money  arising  from  the  sales  than  to 
be  troubled  with  receiving  a  cow,  a  calf,  or  such  like 
things  after  the  debts  (which  must  be  the  case)  have 
been  first  paid.  It  might  be  well  in  fixing  the  day  of 
sale,  to  consult  the  Overseer,  to  know  when  the  busi- 
ness of  the  plantation  will  admit  the  Cart,  Team  and 
Utensils  to  be  taken  from  it. 

As  the  number  of  articles  to  be  sold  cannot  be  many 
and  will  be  of  small  value,  I  think  they  had  better  be 
sold  for  ready  money  and  so  advertised,  for  though 
they  would  fetch  more  on  credit,  there  would  more 

than 


67 

than  probable  be  bad  debts  contracted,  and  at  any  rate 
delay,  if  not  law  suits  before  the  money  could  be  col- 
lected, and  besides  if  there  are  debts  to  be  paid  money 
will  be  wanted  for  the  purpose,  and  in  no  way  can  be 
so  readily  and  properly  obtained  as  by  a  ready  money 
sale,  and  from  the  crops. 

If  you  think  this  business  will  be  too  troublesome  for 
you  with  the  aid  of  your  sons — Mr.  Carter  and  Colonel 
Ball — who  I  am  persuaded  will  give  each  of  us  assist- 
ance, and  you  will  let  me  know  it,  I  will  desire  Major 
George  Washington  to  attend. 

As  the  land  at  the  lyittle-falls  Plantation  goes  to 
Mr.  Bushrod  Washington  he  should  be  apprised  in 
time  of  the  breaking  of  it  up,  otherwise  there  may  be 
injury  to  the  houses  and  fencing  if  left  without  some 
person  to  attend  to  them.  Have  particular  care  taken 
of  her  papers,  the  letters  to  her,  &c. 

I  should  prefer  selling  the  houses  and  lotts  on  which 
my  Mother  lived  to  renting  of  them, — and  would  give 
a  year  or  two  years'  credit  to  the  purchasers  paying 
interest — and  not  being  acquainted  with  the  value  of 
lotts  in  Fredericksburg,  I  would  leave  the  price  to  any 
three  indifferent  and  impartial  Gentleman  to  say  what 
they  are  worth,  and  that  sum  I  will  take. 

If  they  cannot  be  sold  and  soon,  I  would  rent  them 
from  year  to  year  to  any  orderly  Tenant  on  a  moderate 
rent.  If  they  are  not  disposed  of  on  sale  or  by  tennant- 
ing  before  the  weather  gets  cool  the  paling  will,  I  ex- 
pect, be  soon  burnt  up. 

Give  my  love  to  Mrs.  Carter,  and  thank  her  for  the 
letter  she  wrote  to  me.  I  would  have  done  this  my- 
self, 


68 

self,  had  I  more  time  for  private  correspondences. 
Mrs.  Washington  joins  in  best  wishes  for  her,  your- 
self, and  all  other  friends;  and  I  am,  with  the  most 
sincere  regard,  your  affectionate  brother. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  MRS.  BETTY  LEWIS. 

NEW  YORK,  12  October,  1789. 
My  dear  Sister, 

Your  letter  of  the  first  of  this  month  came  duly  to 
hand. — I  believe  Bushrod  is  right  with  respect  to  the 
distribution  of  the  negroes — When  I  gave  my  opinion 
that  you  were  entitled  to  a  child's  part  it  did  not  oc- 
cur to  me  that  my  Mother  held  them  under  the  will  of 
my  Father  who  had  made  a  distribution  of  them  after 
her  death. — If  this  is  the  case,  and  I  believe  it  is,  you 
do  not  come  in  for  any  part  of  them. 

I  thought  I  had  desired  in  my  former  letter  that  all 
personal  property  not  specifically  disposed  of  by  the 
will  had  better  be  sold.  This  is  my  opinion,  as  it  is 
from  the  crops  aud  personal  Estate  that  the  Debts 
must  be  paid. — The  surplus,  be  it  more  or  less,  is 
divided  among  her  children  ;  and  this  I  presume  had 
better  be  done  in  money  than  in  Stock,  old  furniture 
or  any  other  troublesome  articles  which  might  be  in- 
convenient to  remove,  but  in  one  or  the  other  of  these 
ways  they  must  be  disposed  of,  as  they  are  not  given- 
by  the  Will. — If  there  is  anything  coming  to  the  Es- 
tate it  ought  to  be  collected. — In  a  word,  all  the  prop- 
erty except  Lands  and  negroes  is  considered  as  per- 
sonal, and  after  the  Debts  are  discharged  is  to  be 

equally 


69 

equally  divided  into  five  parts,  one  of  which  you  are 
entitled  to.  *  *  * 

G?  WASHINGTON.* 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  COL.  SURGES  BALL  AND 
CHARLES  CARTER,  JR. 

NEW  HAVEN,  18  October,  1789. 
Dear  Sirs, 

Having  set  out  on  a  tour  through  the  Eastern  States, 
it  was  at  this  place  your  letter  of  the  81.11  inst.  over- 
took me. 

Not  having  my  father's  will  to  recur  to,  when  I 
wrote  to  my  sister,  nor  any  recollection  of  the  Devises 
in  it,  I  supposed  she  was  entitled  to  a  child's  part  of 
the  Negroes,  but,  if  they  were  otherwise  disposed  of  by 
that  Will  (as  I  believe  is  the  case)  she  is  certainly  ex- 
cluded, and  the  sons  only  and  their  representatives 
come  in.  In  this  manner  the  division  must  be  made. 

Everything  of  personal  property  not  specifically  dis- 
posed of  by  my  Mother's  Will,  had  better  be  sold — with 
the  proceeds  of  which,  and  the  crops,  the  Debts  must 
be  paid.  The  surplus,  if  any,  must  be  divided  among 
the  heirs. 

Being  well  convinced  that  the  Gentlemen  who  were 
so  obliging  as  to  examine  and  set  a  Value  upon  my 
Lots  [in  Fredericksburg],  acted  from  their  best  judg- 
ment, I  am  perfectly  satisfied  with  their  decision,  and 
beg  my  thanks  may  be  presented  to  them  for  the 
trouble  they  have  had  in  this  business. 

*  From  George  Washington  &  Mount  Vernon,  Iv. 

If 


70 

If  they  are  not  already  sold,  I  am  willing  to  allow 
three,  instead  of  two  years  credit  for  the  payment  of 
the  purchase  money,  Interest  being  paid.  In  a  word, 
as  I  do  not  tenant  them,  I  should  be  glad  to  sell  them 
on  any  reasonable  terms :  as  that  kind  of  property,  at  a 
distance,  is  always  troublesome,  and  rarely  productive. 

I  did  not  mean  to  give  MT  Mercer  the  trouble  of  stat- 
ing any  formal  opinion — All  I  had  in  view  was  to 
know  if  the  formalities  of  the  law,  with  respect  to  in- 
ventorying, appraising,  &c.,  could  be  dispensed  with. — 
If  it  could,  I  was  sure  no  other  difficulty  would  arise, 
as  I  knew  my.  Mother's  dealings  were  small,  and  the 
business  consequently  easily  closed.  *  *  * 

G?  WASHINGTON.* 

*  From  a  transcript  in  the  Department  of  State.  The  origi- 
nal is  in  the  possession  of  Capt.  Geo.  Washington  Ball,  of 
Washington,  D.  C-,  to  whose  courtesy  I  am  indebted  for  many 
favors. 


THE 

WILL 

OF 

LAWRENCE  WASHINGTON, 

HALF-BROTHER  OF 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


IN  THE  NAME  OF  GOD  AMEN,  I  Lawrence  Wash- 
ington of  Truro  parish,  in  Fairfax  County,  and 
Colony  of  Virginia,  Gent. — knowing  the  uncer- 
tainty of  this  transitory  life,  and  being  in  sound 
and  disposing  mind  and  memory  do  make  this  my 
last  Will  and  Testament,  hereby  revoking  and  dis- 
annulling all  other  Wills  and  Testaments  by  me  at 
any  time  heretofore  made.  IMPRIMIS,  my  will  and 
desire  is,  that  a  proper  vault,  for  interment,  may  be 
made  on  my  home  plantation,  Wherein  my  remains 
together  with  my  three  children  may  be  decently 
placed;  and  to  serve  for  my  wife,  and  such  other  of 
the  family  as  may  desire  it. 

ITEM,  my  Will  and  desire  is  that  my  Funeral 
charges  and  respective  debts  be  first  paid  and  dis- 
charged, out  of  such  of  my  personal  estate  as  my  Ex- 
ecutors hereafter  to  be  named  shall  think  best  and 
most  adviseable  to  be  disposed  of  for  that  purpose. 
ITEM,  my  will  and  desire  is  that  my  loving  Wife,* 
have  the  use  benefits  and  profits  of  all  my  Lands  on 
Little  Hunting  and  Doegs  Creeks,  in  the  County  of 
Truro  and  County  of  Fairfax  with  all  the  Houses 
and  Edifices  thereon,  during  her  natural  life,  like- 
wise the  use,  labour,  and  profits  arising  from  the 
one  half  of  all  my  Negroes,  as  my  said  wife  and 

*Anna  Fairfax. 

(73)  Executors 


74 

Executors  may  agree  in  dividing  them.  Negro 
Moll  and  her  issue,  to  be  included  in  my  wife's  part 
of  the  said  Negroes.  I  also  divise  that  my  said 
wife  may  have  the  use  of  the  Lands  surveyed  on 
the  south  fork  of  Bullskin,  in  the  County  of  Fred- 
erick; during  her  natural  Life,  but  in  case  of  my 
daughter  Sarah  dying  without  issue  before  her  said 
Mother,  then  I  give  and  devize  my  said  Bullskin 
Tract,  to  my  said  Wife;  to  her  and  her  Heirs  for- 
ever. ITEM,  it  is  my  Will  and  desire  that  all  my 
Household  Goods  and  furniture  with  the  liquors  to 
be  appraised  and  valued  by  three  persons  to  be 
chosen  by  my  wife  and  Executors,  and  that  my 
wife  have  the  liberty  of  chooseing  any  part  of  the 
said  Household  goods  and  furniture  to  the  amount 
of  a  full  moiety  of  the  whole  sum,  which  they  shall 
be  appraised  to,  which  part  I  give  and  bequeath  to 
her  and  her  Heirs  forever;  the  other  moiety  to  be 
sold,  and  the  money  arising  applied  towards  the 
payment  of  my  Debts. 

ITEM,  What  I  have  herein  devised  and  left  to  my 
Wife  I  intend  to  be  in  Lieu,  and  in  stead,  of  her 
right  of  Dower,  provided  my  Wife,  according  to  her 
promise,  sells  her  several  Tracts  of  Land  near  Sal- 
isbury plains,  and  applys  the  said  money  to  the 
discharge  of  my  Debts  due  at  the  time  of  my 
Death,  but  in  case  of  her  refusal  then  my  will  is 
that  all  my  Household  furniture  be  sold,  and  the 
whole  amount  to  be  applied  towards  the  discharge 

of 


75 

of  my  Debts.  ITEM  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my 
Daughter  Sarah  and  the  Heirs  of  her  body,  law- 
fully begotten  forever,  after  my  Just  debts  are  dis- 
charged, all  my  real  and  personal  Estate  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  province  of  Maryland  not  otherwise 
disposed  of.  But  in  case  it  should  please  God  my 
said  Daughter,  should  die  without  issue,  it  is  then 
my  will  and  desire  my  Estate  both  real  and  per- 
sonal be  disposed  of  in  the  following  manner; 

First,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  loveing  Brother 
Augustine  Washington  and  his  Heirs  forever,  all  my 
Stock,  Interest  and  Estate  in  the  Principio,  Acco- 
keek,  Kingsbury,  Lancashire,  and  N?  East  Iron 
Works  in  Virginia  and  Maryland,  reserving  one- 
third  of  the  profits  of  said  works,  to  be  paid  to  my 
Wife,  as  hereafter  mentioned,  and  Two  Tracts  of 
Land,  lying  and  being  in  Frederick  County  which 
I  purchased  of  Col?  Cresap  and  Gerrard  Fender- 
grass.  Second,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  lov- 
ing brother  George  Washington,  and  his  Heirs  for- 
ever, after  the  decease  of  my  wife,  all  my  lands  in 
Fairfax  County,  with  the  improvements  thereon 
and  further  it  is  my  will  and  desire  that  during 
the  natural  life  of  my  wife,  that  my  said  Brother 
George  shall  have  the  use  of  an  equal  Share,  and 
proportion  of  all  the  Lands  hereafter  given  and 
devised  unto  my  brothers  Samuel,  John  and 
Charles.  Third,  I  give  and  bequeath  all  those 
several  Tracts  of  Lands  which  I  am  possessed  of 

and 


76 

and  claim  in  the  County  of  Frederick  (except  the 
Tract  on  the  south  fork  of  Bull  skin,  bequeathed 
to  my  Wife,  and  the  two  Tracts  purchased  of  Col° 
Cresap  and  Gerrard  Pendergrass,  devised  unto  my 
Brother  Augustine)  unto  my  Brothers  Samuel, 
John  and  Charles,  reserving  as  above  an  equal  pro- 
portion for  my  Brother  George,  provided  they, 
Samuel,  John  or  Charles,  pay  or  cause  to  be  paid 
unto  my  and  their  sister  Betty  Lewis,  the  sum  of 
One  hundred  and  fifty  pounds.  Fourth,  my  Will 
also  is  that  upon  the  death  of  any,  or  all  of  my  said 
Brothers,  George,  Samuel,  John  and  Charles,  dying 
without  lawful  issue,  such  Lands  as  was  given 
them  or  any  of  them,  in  case  of  my  said  Daughters 
demise  as  aforesaid,  to  become  the  property  and 
Right  of  my  Brother  Augustine  and  his  Heirs. 
Fifth,  my  further  will  and  desire  is,  that  after  the 
demise  of  my  said  wife  the  Negro  Woman,  Moll 
and  her  increase  be  given  unto  my  said  Brother 
Augustine,  his  Heirs,  adm'ors  &c  and  likewise 
give  him  an  equal  proportion  with  his  other  Broth- 
ers, of  the  other  part  of  the  Negroes,  and  personal 
Estate,  upon  their  paying  my  said  Wife  One  hun- 
dred pounds  Sterling  my  intent  and  meaning  is 
that  the  said  one  hundred  pounds  sterling  be  paid 
by  my  said  Brothers  to  my  said  wife  immediately, 
or  soon  after,  it  may  please  God  to  remove  by  death 
my  said  Daughter. 

ITEM,  I  further  give  and  bequeath  unto  iny  love- 
ing 


77 

ing  wife,  during  her  natural  life  one  full  third  part 
of  the  profits  from  the  share  I  hold  in  all  the  sev- 
eral Iron  Works,  both  in  the  Colony  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland,  to  be  paid  unto  my  said  Wife  from  time 
to  time  by  my  Executors,  immediately  upon  notice 
given  them  by  the  partners,  residing  in  England, 
of  the  annual  amount  of  the  profits,  to  be  paid 
either  in  Bills  or  Cash,  at  the  current  Exchange,  as 
she  shall  choose. 

ITEM,  I  give  unto  my  brother  John  Washington, 
Fifty  pounds  in  lieu  of  the  Land  taken  from  him 
by  a  suit  at  Law  by  Capt.  MaxinT  Robinson,  after 
my  debts  are  paid.  ITEM,  my  will  and  desire  is 
that  my  two  Tracts  of  Land,  one  Joining  my 
wife's  Tract,  near  Salisbury  plain,  the  other  on 
a  branch  of  Goose  Creek,  being  three  Hundred 
and  three  Acres,  my  Two  Lots  in  the  Town  of 
Alexandria  with  the  edifices  thereon,  and  my  share 
and  Interest  in  the  Ohio  Company,  all  be  sold 
by  my  Executors,  and  the  money  applied  towards 
discharging  my  debts,  also  my  arrears  of  half 
pay,  which  Col?  Wilson,  the  agent,  or  MT  Stuart, 
his  Kinsman  and  Clerk,  be  addressed  for  and  the 
money  applied  to  the  same  use.  ITEM,  whereas 
the  purchasing  Negroes  and  Land  may  greatly 
tend  to  the  advantage  of  my  Daughter,  I  there- 
fore fully  empower  my  Executors  to  lay  out 
the  profit  of  my  Estate,  or  any  part  thereof  in 
Lands,  and  Negroes  at  their  discretion,  i.  e.  I  mean 

such 


78 

such  part  of  the  Estate  as  I  have  devised  to  my 
Daughter  Sarah,  which  said  several  purchases,  in 
case  of  her  decease  without  Issue,  shall  be  deemed 
and  counted  personal  Estate,  and  be  accordingly 
equally  divided  among  my  Brothers  as  above  pro- 
vided. 

ITEM  I  also  desire  that  my  Just  suit  of  complaint 
at  Law,  depending  against  Gersham  Keys,  of 
Frederick  county,  for  breach  of  Trust,  be  effectu- 
ally prosecuted  by  my  Executors. 

ITEM,  it  is  furthermore  my  will  and  desire  that 
all  my  Estate  be  kept  together  till  the  debts  are 
discharged. 

ITEM.  I  give  to  my  wife,  my  Mother  in  Law,  and 
each  of  my  Executors,  a  mourning  ring; 

LASTLY,  I  constitute  and  appoint  the  Honb* 
William  Fairfax  and  George  Fairfax,  EsqT,  my  said 
Brothers,  Augustine  and  George  Washington,  and 
my  esteemed  Friends,  MT.  Nathaniel  Chapman  and 
Ma]T.  John  Carlyle,  Executors  of  this  my  last  will 
and  Testament.  Whereof  I  have  hereunto  set  my 
Hand  and  Scale,  this  twentieth  day  of  June,  one 
Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  fifty  two,  in  the 
26t.h  year  of  his  Majesty  King  George  the  second's 
Reign. 

LAW?  WASHINGTON    [SEAL]. 

Signed,  sealed  &  published  in  the  presence  of  us 
WAITE,  JN?   NORTH, 


his  JOSEPH  GOUND. 

ANDREW  X  W.  WARREN, 

mark 

At 


79 

At  a  Court  held  for  Fairfax  County  September 
the  26^  1752,  This  Last  Will  and  Testament  of 
Lawrence  Washington  Gent.  dece4  was  presented  in 
Court  by  the  Honb1.  William  Fairfax  and  George 
William  Fairfax,  Esqr.  John  Carlyle  and  George 
Washington,  Gent1!  four  of  the  Executors  therein 
named  who  made  oath  thereto  according  to  Law, 
and  being  proved  by  the  oaths  of  William  Waite, 
John  North  and  Andrew  Warren,  three  of  the  Wit- 
nesses, is  admitted  to  Record,  and  the  said  Execu- 
tors, performing  what  is  usual  in  such  cases,  cer- 
tificate is  granted  them,  for  obtaining  a  probate  in 
due  form. 

Test. 

JOHN  GRAHAM, 
Cl. 

A  true  Copy 
Test 

W?  Moss,  Cl. 


THE 
WILL 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


IN  THE  NAME  OF  GOD,  AMEN! 

I  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  of  Mount  Vernon,  a 
citizen  of  the  United  States  and  lately  President 
of  the  same  do  make  ordain  and  declare  this  In- 
strument, which  is  written  with  my  own  hand  and 
every  page  thereof  subscribed  with  my  name  to  be 
my  last  Will  &  Testament,  revoking  all  others.* 
— Imprimus — All  my  debts,  of  which  there  are  but 
few,  and  none  of  magnitude,  are  to  be  punctually 
and  speedily  paid,  and  the  legacies  hereinafter  be- 
queathed are  to  be  discharged  as  soon  as  circum- 
stances will  permit,  and  in  the  manner  directed. 

ITEM.  To  my  dearly  beloved  wife,  Martha 
Washington  I  give  and  bequeath  the  use  profit  and 
benefit  of  my  whole  Estate,  real  and  personal,  for 

*  At  the  bottom  of  every  page — with  one  exception  —  he 
signed  his  name.  On  the  one  page,  the  last  word  was  Wash- 
ington, which  probably  led  him  to  suppose  he  had  signed. 

There  is  mention  of  an  earlier  will  to  be  found  in  a  letter 
written  to  his  wife  just  after  he  had  accepted  the  command  of 
the  Continental  army.  "As  life  is  always  uncertain,  and  com- 
mon prudence  dictates  to  every  man  the  necessity  of  settling 
his  temporal  concerns,  while  it  is  in  his  power,  and  while  the 
mind  is  calm  and  undisturbed,  I  have,  since  I  came  to  this 
place  (for  I  had  not  time  to  do  it  before  I  left  home)  got  Colo- 
nel Pendleton  to  draft  a  will  for  me,  by  the  directions  I  gave 
him,  which  will  I  now  enclose.  The  provision  made  for  you 
in  case  of  my  death  will,  I  hope,  be  agreeable."  18  June,  1775. 

(83)  the 


84 

the  term  of  her  natural  life,  except  such  parts 
thereof  as  are  specially  disposed  of  hereafter, — My 
improved  lot  in  the  Town  of  Alexandria,  situated 
on  Pitt  and  Cameron  Streets,  I  give  to  her  &  her 
heirs  forever,  as  I  also  do  my  [2]  *  household  and 
kitchen  furniture  of  every  sort  and  kind  with  the 
liquors  and  groceries  which  may  be  on  hand  at  the 
time  of  my  decease,  to  be  used  and  disposed  of  as 
she  may  think  proper. 

ITEM — Upon  the  decease  of  wife  it  is  my  will 
and  desire,  that  all  the  slaves  which  I  hold  in  my 
own  right  shall  receive  their  freedom — To  emanci- 
pate them  during  her  life,  would  tho  earnestly 
wished  by  me,  be  attended  with  such  insuperable 
difficulties,  on  account  of  their  intermixture  by 
marriages  with  the  Dower  negroes  as  to  excite  the 
most  painful  sensations — if  not  disagreeable  conse- 
quences from  the  later  while  both  descriptions  are 
in  the  occupancy  of  the  same  proprietor,  it  not 
being  in  my  power  under  the  tenure  by  which  the 
dower  Negroes  are  held  to  manumit  them — And 
whereas  among  those  who  will  receive  freedom  ac- 
cording to  this  devise  there  may  be  some  who  from 
old  age,  or  bodily  infirmities  &  others  who  on  ac- 
count of  their  infancy,  that  will  be  unable  to  sup- 
port themselves,  it  is  my  will  and  desire  that  all 
who  come  under  the  first  and  second  description 

*  These  figures  in  brackets  mark  the  beginning  of  each  page 
of  the  MS.  will. 

shall 


85 

shall  be  comfortably  clothed  and  fed  by  my  heirs 
while  they  live  and  [3]  that  such  of  the  latter  de- 
scription as  have  no  parents  living,  or  if  living  are 
unable,  or  unwilling  to  provide  for  them,  shall  be 
bound  by  the  Court  until  they  shall  arrive  at  the 
age  of  twenty  five  years,  and  in  cases  where  no 
record  can  be  produced  whereby  their  ages  can  be 
ascertained,  the  Judgment  of  the  Court  upon  it's 
own  view  of  the  subject  shall  be  adequate  and 
final. — The  negroes  thus  bound  are  (by  their  mas- 
ters or  mistresses)  to  be  taught  to  read  and  write 
and  to  be  brought  up  to  some  useful  occupation, 
agreeably  to  the  laws  of  the  commonwealth  of  Vir- 
ginia, providing  for  the  support  of  orphans  and 
other  poor  children — and  I  do  hereby  expressly 
forbid  the  sale  or  transportation  out  of  the  said 
Commonwealth  of  any  Slave  I  may  die  possessed 
of,  under  any  pretence,  whatsoever — and  I  do 
moreover  most  positively,  and  most  solemnly  enjoin 
it  upon  my  Executors  hereafter  named,  or  the  sur- 
vivors of  them  to  see  that  this  clause  respecting 
slaves  and  every  part  thereof  be  religiously  fulfilled 
at  the  Epoch  at  which  it  is  directed  to  take  place 
without  evasion  neglect  or  delay  after  the  crd'ps 
which  may  then  be  on  the  ground  are  harvested, 
particularly  as  it  respects  [4]  the  aged  and  infirm, 
seeing  that  a  regular  and  permanent  fund  be  estab- 
lished for  their  support  so  long  as  there  are  subjects 
requiring  it,  not  trusting  to  the  uncertain  provis- 
ions 


86 

ions  to  be  made  by  individuals. — And  to  my  mulatto 
man,  William  (calling  himself  William  Lee)  I  give 
immediate  freedom  or  if  he  should  prefer  it  (on  ac- 
count of  the  accidents  which  have  befallen  him  and 
which  have  rendered  him  incapable  of  walking  or 
of  any  active  employment*)  to  remain  in  the  situa- 
tion he  now  is,  it  shall  be  optional  in  him  to  do  so 
— In  either  case  however  I  allow  him  an  annuity 
of  thirty  dollars  during  his  natural  life  which  shall 
be  independent  of  the  victuals  and  cloaths  he  has 
been  accustomed  to  receive;  if  he  chuses  the  last 
alternative,  but  in  full  with  his  freedom,  if  he  pre- 
fers the  first,  and  this  I  give  him  as  a  testimony  of 
my  sense  of  his  attachment  to  me  and  for  his  faith- 
ful services  during  the  revolutionary  War.f 

*On  22d  April,  1785,  when  acting  as  chain  bearer,  while 
Washington  was  surveying  a  tract  of  land  on  Four  Mile  Run, 
William  fell,  and  broke  his  knee  pan;  "which  put  a  stop  to 
my  surveying;  and  with  much  difficulty  I  was  able  to  get  him 
to  Abingdon,  being  obliged  to  get  a  sled  to  carry  him  on,  as  he 
could  neither  walk,  stand  or  ride. "  Washington's  Diary.  See 
Spurious  Letters  attributed  to  Washington,  8. 

f  The  following  letters  relate  to  this  servant: 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO   CLEMENT  BIDDLE. 

MOUNT  VERNON,  28  July,  1784. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  mulatto  fellow,  William,  who  has  been  with  me  all  the 
war,  is  attached  (married  he  says)  to  one  of  his  own  color,  a  free 
woman,  who  during  the  war,  was  also  of  my  family.  She  has 
been  in  an  infirm  condition  for  some  time,  and  I  had  conceived 

ITEM 


87 

ITKM — To  the  Trustees,  (Governors  or  by  what- 
soever other  name  they  may  be  designated)  of  the 
academy  in  the  Town  of  Alexandria,  I  give  and 
bequeath,  in  Trust,  Four  thousand  dollars,  or  in 
other  words  twenty  of  the  shares  which  I  [5]  hold 

that  the  connexion  between  them  had  ceased ;  but  I  am  mis- 
taken it  seems  they  are  both  applying  to  get  her  here,  and  tho' 
I  never  wished  to  see  her  more,  I  cannot  refuse  his  request  (if 
it  can  be  complied  with  on  reasonable  terms)  as  he  has  served 
me  faithfully  for  many  years. 

After  premising  thus  much,  I  have  to  beg  the  favor  of  you  to 
procure  her  a  passage  to  Alexanda.,  either  by  Sea,  in  the  Stage, 
or  in  the  passage  boat  from  the  head  of  Elk,  as  you  shall  think 
cheapest  and  best,  and  her  situation  will  admit; — the  cost  of 
either  I  will  pay.  Her  name  is  Margaret  Thomas  allias  Lee 
(the  name  by  which  he  calls  himself).  She  lives  in  Philada. 
with  Isaac  and  Hannah  Sile— black  people,  who  are  often  em- 
ploy'd  by  families  in  the  city  as  cooks. 

I  am  &c. 

TOBIAS  I<EAR  TO   COLO.    CLEMENT  BIDDLE. 

NEW  YORK,  3  May,  1789. 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  of  the  27^  ulto.  came  duly  to  the  hands  of  the 
President.  He  would  thauk  you  to  propose  it  to  Will  to  return 
to  Mount  Vernon  when  he  can  be  removed  for  he  cannot  be  of 
any  service  here,  and  perhaps  will  require  a  person  to  attend 
upon  him  constantly.  If  he  should  incline  to  return  to  Mount 
Vernon,  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  have  him  sent  in  the  first 
Vessel  that  sails  for  Alexandria  after  he  can  be  removed  with 
safety — but  if  he  is  still  anxious  to  come  on  here  the  President 
would  gratify  him  Altho'  he  will  be  troublesome — He  has  been 
an  old  and  faithful  Servant  this  is  enough  for  the  President  to 
gratify  him  in  every  reasonable  wish —  *  *  * 

I  am  &c.          TOBIAS  LEAR. 

in 


in  the  Bank  of  Alexandria  towards  the  support  of 
a  Free  School,  established  at,  and  annexed  to  the 
said  academy  for  the  purpose  of  educating  such 
orphan  children,  or  the  children  of  such  other  poor 
and  indigent  persons  as  are  unable  to  accomplish 
it  with  their  own  means,  and  who  in  the  judgment 
of  the  trustees  of  the  said  Seminary,  are  best  en- 
titled to  the  benefit  of  this  donation — The  aforesaid 
twenty  shares  I  give  and  bequeath  in  perpetuity — 
the  dividends  only  of  which  are  to  be  drawn  for 
and  applied  by  the  said  Trustees  for  the  time  be- 
ing, for  the  uses  above  mentioned,  the  stock  to  re- 
main entire  and  untouched  unless  indications  of  a 
failure  of  the  said  Bank  should  be  so  apparent  or 
discontinuance  thereof  should  render  a  removal  of 
this  fund  necessary,  in  either  of  these  cases  the 
amount  of  the  stock  here  devised  is  to  be  vested  in 
some  other  bank  or  public  institution  whereby  the 
interest  may  with  regularity  and  certainty  be 
drawn  and  applied  as  above. — And  to  prevent  mis- 
conception, my  meaning  is,  and  is  hereby  declared 
to  be  that,  these  twenty  shares  are  in  lieu  of  and 
not  in  addition  to  the  Thousand  pounds  given  by 
a  missive  letter  some  years  ago  in  consequence 
whereof  an  an[6]nuity  of  fifty  pounds  has  since 
been  paid  towards  the  support  of  this  institution.  * 

*This  letter  is  printed  in  Washington's  Writings  (Ford's  edi- 
tion), xi.,  — . 

In  his  MS.  Diary  for  1785  is  found  the  following  entry  under 

ITEM 


89 

ITEM — Whereas  by  a  law  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Virginia,  enacted  in  the  year  1785,  the  Legisla- 
ture thereof  was  pleased  (as  an  evidence  of  it's  ap- 
probation of  the  services  I  had  rendered  the  public, 
during  the  Revolution — and  partly,  I  believe  in 
consideration  of  my  having  suggested  the  vast  ad- 
vantages which  the  community  would  derive  from 
the  extension  of  its  Inland  navigation,  under  Leg- 
islative patronage)  to  present  me  with  one  hundred 
shares,  of  one  hundred  dollars  each,  in  the  incor- 
porated company  established  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
tending the  navigation  of  James  River  from  tide 
water  to  the  mountains;  and  also  with  fifty  shares 
of  one  hundred  pounds  sterling  each  in1  the  corpo- 
ration of  another  company  likewise  established  for 
the  similar  purpose  of  opening  the  navigation  of 
the  River  Potomac  from  tide  water  to  Fort  Cum- 
berland; the  acceptance  of  which,  although  the 
offer  was  highly  honorable  and  grateful  to  my  feel- 
date  December  ijth:  "Went  to  Alexandria  to  meet  the  trustees 
of  the  Academy  in  that  place,  and  offered  to  vest  in  the  hands 
of  the  said  Trustees,  when  they  are  permanently  established 
by  Charter,  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds,  the  interest  of 
which  only  to  be  applied  towards  the  establishment  of  a  charity 
school  for  the  education  of  Orphan  and  other  poor  children, 
which offerwas  accepted."  His  letterto  the  Trustees  is  printed 
in  Washington'1  s  Writings  (Sparks')  ix.,  151.  The  act  of  in- 
corporation was  passed  by  the  Legislature  in  the  October  ses- 
sion, 1786,  and  Washington  was  named  first  in  the  list  of  trus- 
tees. Hening's  Statutes,  xii.,  392. 

ings, 


ings,  was  refused,  as  inconsistent  with  a  principle 
which  I. had  adop[y]ted,  and  had  never  departed 
from,  namely  not  to  receive  pecuniary  compensa- 
tion for  any  services  I  could  render  my  country  in 
it's  arduous  struggle  with  Great  Britain  for  it's 
Rights;  and  because  I  had  evaded  similar  proposi- 
tions from  other  States  in  the  Union — adding  to 
this  refusal  however  an  intimation,  that,  if  it 
should  be  the  pleasure  of  the  Legislature  to  permit 
me  to  appropriate  the  said  shares  to  public  uses,  I 
would  receive  them  on  those  terms  with  due  sen- 
sibility— and  this  it  having  consented  to  in  flatter- 
ing terms,  as  will  appear  by  a  subsequent  law  and 
sundry  resolutions,  in  the  most  ample  and  hon- 
orable manijer,*  I  proceed  after  this  recital  for 
the  more  correct  understanding  of  the  case  to  de- 
clare— 

That  as  it  has  always  been  a  source  of  serious 
regret  with  me  to  see  the  youth  of  these  United 
States  sent  to  foreign  countries  for  the  purpose  of 
education,  often  before  their  minds  were  formed  or 
they  had  imbibed  any  adequate  ideas  of  the  happi- 
ness of  their  own,  contracting  too  frequently  not 
only  habits  of  dissipation  and  extravagence,  but 
principles  unfriendly  to  Republican  Governm't  and 
to  the  true  and  genuine  liberties  [8]  of  mankind, 

*The  various  laws  may  be  found  in  Hening,  Statutes  at 
Large,  xi.,  543;  xii.,  42.  The  letters  of  Washington  are  in  my 
xi. 

which 


which  thereafter  are  rarely  overcome. — For  these 
reasons  it  has  been  my  ardent  wish  to  see  a  plan 
devised  on  a  liberal  scale  which  would  have  a  ten- 
dency to  spread  systamatic  ideas  through  all  parts 
of  this  rising  Empire,  thereby  to  do  away  local 
attachments  and  state  prejudices  as  far  as  the  na- 
ture of  things  would,  or  indeed  ought  to  admit, 
from  our  national  councils — Looking  anxiously 
forward  to  the  accomplishment  of  so  desirable  an 
object  as  this  is,  (in  my  estimation)  my  mind  has 
not  been  able  to  contemplate  any  plan  more  likely 
to  effect  the  measure  than  the  establishment  of  a 
University  in  a  central  part  of  the  United  States 
to  which  the  youth  of  fortune  and  talents  from  all 
parts  thereof  might  be  sent  for  the  completion  of 
their  education  in  all  the  branches  of  polite  litera- 
ture in  arts  and  sciences — in  acquiring  knowledge 
in  the  principles  of  Politics  and  good  Government 
and  (as  a  matter  of  infinite  importance  in  my  judg- 
ment) by  associating  with  each  other  and  forming 
friendships  in  Juvenile  years,  be  enabled  to  free 
themselves  in  a  proper  degree  from  those  local 
prejudices  and  habit[9]ual  jealousies  which  have 
just  been  mentioned  and  which  when  carried  to 
excess  are  never  failing  sources  of  disquietude  to 
the  Public  mind  and  pregnant  of  mischieveous 
consequences  to  this  country: — under  these  impres- 
sions so  fully  dilated, — 

ITEM — I  give  and  bequeath   in  perpetuity  the 

fifty 


92 

fifty  shares  which  I  hold  in  the  Potomac  Company 
(under  the  aforesaid  Acts  of  the  Legislature  of 
Virginia)  towards  the  endowment  of  a  University 
to  be  established  within  the  limits  of  the  District 
of  Columbia,  under  the  auspices  of  the  General 
Government,  if  that  Government  should  incline  to 
extend  a  fostering  hand  towards  it, — and  until 
such  seminary  is  established,  and  the  funds  arising 
on  these  shares  shall  be  required  for  its  support, 
my  further  will  and  desire  is  that  the  profit  accru- 
ing therefrom  shall  whenever  the  dividends  are 
made  be  laid  out  in  purchasing  stock  in  the  Bank 
of  Columbia  or  some  other  Bank  at  the  discretion 
of  my  Executors,  or  by  the  Treasurer  of  the  United 
States  for  the  time  being  under  the  direction  of 
Congress,  provided  that  Honorable  body  should 
[10]  patronize  the  measure.  And  the  dividends 
proceeding  from  the  purchase  of  such  Stock  is  to 
be  vested  in  more  Stock  and  so  on  until  a  sum 
adequate  to  the  accomplishment  of  the  object  is 
obtained,  of  which  I  have  not  the  smallest  doubt 
before  many  years  pass  away,  even  if  no  aid  or 
encouraged  is  given  by  Legislative  authority  or 
from  any  other  source.* 

ITEM — The  hundred  shares  which  I  held  in  the 
James  River  Company  I  have  given  and  now  con- 
firm in  perpetuity  to  and  for  the  use  and  benefit  of 

*  This  provision  of  the  will  was  never  carried  into  effect. 

Liberty 


93 

Liberty  Hall  Academy  in    the  County  of  Rock- 
bridge,  in  the  Commonwealth  of  Virga* 

ITEM — I  release  exonerate  and  discharge  the  es- 
tate of  my  deceased  brother,  Samnel  Washington, f 
from  the  payment  of  the  money  which  is  due  to 
me  for  the  land  I  sold  to  Philip  Pendleton  (lying 
in  the  County  of  Berkley  |)  who  assigned  the  same 
to  him  the  said  Samuel,  who  by  agreement  was  to 
pay  me  therefor. — And  whereas  by  some  contract 
(the  purport  of  which  was  never  communicated  to 
me)  between  the  said  Samuel  and  his  son  Thornton 
Washington,  the  latter  became  possessed  of  the 
aforesaid  land  without  [n]  any  conveyance  having 

*  Robert  Alexander,  educated  in  Trinity  College,  Dublin, 
opened  a  high  school  in  the  Valley  of  the  Blue  Ridge  about 
the  year  1749.  He  called  it  the  "Augusta  Academy,"  and  it 
continued  till  the  Revolution.  During  that  contest  its  name 
was  changed  to  Liberty  Hall,  and  in  1782  it  was  regularly  char- 
tered as  Liberty  Hall  Academy.  In  1785  it  was  removed  to 
Rockbridge  County,  within  a  short  distance  of  Lexington,  and 
it  was  there  that  Washington's  legacy  was  received.  In  1798, 
out  of  respect  to  the  benefactor,  the  name  was  changed  to 
Washington  Academy,  and  in  1803,  on  the  destruction  of  the 
old  Academy  by  fire,  a  new  one  was  located  within  the  limits 
of  Lexington,  where  it  has  since  remained.  The  prosperity  of 
the  Academy  was  interrupted  by  the  civil  war,  and  at  the  peace 
it  was  again  organized  under  the  presidency  of  Robert  E.  Lee, 
and  the  name  became  "The  Washington  and  Lee  University." 

f  Samuel  died  at  Berkley  in  1781,  aged  47. 

Jin  1772  the  county  of  Frederick  was  divided  into  three, 
forming  Frederick,  Dunmore  and  Berkeley  counties. 

passed 


94 

passed  from  me  either  to  the  said  Pendleton  the 
said  Samuel  or  the  said  Thornton  and  without  any 
consideration  having  been  made,  by  which  neglect 
neither  the  legal  or  equitable  title  has  been  alien- 
ated;*— it  rests  therefore  with  me  to  declare  my 
intentions  concerning  the  premises — And  these  are 
to  give  and  bequeath  the  said  land  to  whomsoever 
the  said  Thornton  Washington  (who  is  also  dead) 
devised  the  same  or  to  his  heirs  forever,  if  he  died 
intestate. — Exonerating  the  estate  of  the  said 
Thornton,  equally  with  that  of  the  said  Samuel 
from  payment  of  the  purchase-money,  which  with 
Interest  agreeably  to  the  original  contract  with  the 
said  Pendleton  would  amount  to  more  than  a 
thousand  pounds — and  whereas  two  other  sons  of 
my  said  deceased  brother  Samuel, — namely,  George 
Steptoe  Washington  and  Lawrence  Augustine 
Washington  were  by  the  decease  of  those  to  whose 

*  "  Mr.  Pendleton  obtained  my  Deed,  or  a  Bond,  or  some, 
thing  obligatory  upon  me,  and  my  heirs,  to  make  him  a  title  to 
the  Land  he  had  of  me,  &  sold  to  you,  upon  the  purchase 
money  being  paid  ;  not  one  farthing  of  which  has  been  done — 
even  the  last  years  Rent,  if  I  remember  right,  which  he  took 
upon  himself  to  pay,  is  yet  behind. — However,  so  soon  as  I  can 
get  evidences  I  will  send  a  power  of  attorney  to  Lund  Wash- 
ton,  to  make  a  legal  conveyance  of  the  land  to  you. — In  the 
mean  time  the  Instrument  of  writing  I  passed  to  Mr.  Pendleton 
will  always  be  good  against  my  Heirs,  upon  the  condition  of 
being  complied  with."  George  Washington  to  Samuel  Wash- 
ington, 5  October,  1776.  Pendleton  conveyed  to  Samuel  in 
1772.  The  property  was  on  Bullskin. 

care 


95 

care  they  were  committed,  brought  under  my  pro- 
tection, and  in  consequence  have  occasioned  ad- 
vances on  my  part  for  their  education  at  college 
and  other  schools  for  their  board  cloathing  and 
other  incidental  expenses  to  the  amount  of  near 
[12]  five  thousand  dollars  over  and  above  the  sums 
furnished  by  their  estate,  wch  sum  may  be  incon- 
venient for  them  or  their  father's  Estate  to  refund 
— I  do  for  these  reasons  acquit  them  and  the  said 
Estate  from  the  payment  thereof. — My  intention 
being  that  all  accounts  between  them  and  me  and 
their  father's  Estate  and  me  shall  stand  bal- 
anced.— * 

ITEM — The  balance  due  to  me  from  the  Estate  of 
Bartholomew  Dandridge  deceased, f  (my  wife's 
brother)  and  which  amounted  on  the  first  day  of 
October,  1795,  to  Four  hundred  and  twenty-five 
pounds  (as  will  appear  by  an  account  rendered  by 
his  deceased  son,  John  Dandridge,  who  was  the 
Executor  of  his  father's  will)  I  release  and  acquit 
from  the  payment  thereof. — And  the  negros  (then 
thirty  three  in  number)  formerly  belonging  to  the 

*  As  early  as  January,  1786,  the  support  of  these  two  boys 
was  at  Washington's  charge.  Many  letters  from  Washington 
to  the  boys  and  their  instructors  are  extant — some  being  printed 
in  Sparks. 

f  Sunday,  April  24,  1785.  "An  express  arrived  with  the  ac- 
count of  the  deaths  of  Mrs.  Dandridge  and  Mr.  B.  Dandridge, 
the  mother -and  brother  of  Mrs.  Washington."  Diary. 

said 


96 

said  Estate  who  were  taken  in  Execution, — sold — 
and  purchased  in,  on  my  account  in  the  year 
[1795?]*  and  ever  since  have  remained  in  the  pos- 
session and  to  the  use  of  Mary,  widow  of  the  said 
Bartholomew  Dandridge  with  their  increase,  it  is 
my  will  and  desire  shall  continue  and  be  in  her 
possession,  without  paying  hire  or  making  [13] 
compensation  for  the  same  for  the  time  past  or  to 
come  during  her  natural  life,  at  the  expiration  of 
which,  I  direct  that  all  of  them  who  are  forty  years 
old  and  upwards  shall  receive  their  freedom,  all 
under  that  age  and  above  sixteen  shall  serve  seven 
years  and  no  longer,  and  all  under  sixteen  years 
shall  serve  until  they  are  twenty-five  years  of  age 
and  then  be  free. — And  to  avoid  disputes  respecting 
the  ages  of  any  of  these  negros  they  are  to  be  taken 
to  the  Court  of  the  County  in  which  they  reside 
and  the  judgment  thereof  in  this  relation  shall  be 
final  and  a  record  thereof  made,  which  may  be  ad- 
duced as  evidence  at  any  time  thereafter  if  disputes 
should  arise  concerning  the  same. — And  I  further 
direct  that  the  heirs  of  the  said  Bartholomew 
Dandridge  shall  equally  share  the  benefits  arising 
from  the  services  of  the  said  negros  according  to 
the  tenor  of  this  devise  upon  the  decease  of  their 
mother. 

*  "  Proposals  from  Mr.  Jno.  Dandridge,  with  a  list  of  Slaves 
in  his  or  his  Mother's  possession,  purchased  for  and  belonging 

to  G.  W n,  Sep.,  1795,"  a  MS.  sold  at  auction  10  December, 

1890. 

ITEM 


97 

ITEM — If  Charles  Carter  who  intermarried  with 
my  niece,  Betty  Lewis,  is  not  sufficiently  secured 
in  the  title  to  the  lots  he  had  of  me  in  the  town  of 
Fredericksburg,  *  it  is  my  will  and  desire  that  my 
Executors  shall  make  such  conveyances  [14]  of 
them  as  the  law  requires  to  render  it  perfect,  f 

ITEM — To  my  nephew,  Wm.  Augustine  Wash- 
ington and  his  heirs  (if  he  should  conceive  them 
to  be  objects  worth  prosecuting)  and  to  his  heirs  a 
lot  in  the  town  of  Manchester  (opposite  to  Rich- 
mond) No.  265 — drawn  on  my  sole  account  and 
also  the  tenth  of  one  or  two  hundred  acre  lots 
and  two  or  three  half  acre  lots  in  the  city  and 
vicinity  of  Richmond,  drawn  in  partnership  with 
nine  others,  all  in  the  lottery  of  the  deceased 
William  Byrd  are  given| — as  is  also  a  lot  which 

*  Fredericksburg  was  erected  into  a  town  by  an  act  of  Assem- 
bly passed  in  February,  1727.  Hening^s  Statutes,  iv,  234.  It 
was  incorporated  in  the  November  session,  1781.  Do.,  x,  439. 

f  Betty  Lewis,  daughter  of  Col.  Fielding  Lewis  and  Betty 
Washington,  was  born  23  February,  1765;  m.  Charles  Carter,  of 
Culpeper  Co.,  7  May.  1781;  died  at  Audley  in  1829. 

\  "I  drew  a  prize  in  Col.  Byrd's  lottery  of  a  half  acre  lot, 
No.  265,  I  believe  in  the  town  of  Manchester,  and  I  have  a  lot 
in  some  town  that  was  established  on  James  River  (below  Rich- 
mond) by  a  certain  John  Wood  ...  I  am  entitled  also  in  part- 
nership with,  or  the  heirs  of  Peyton  Randolph,  Richard  Ran- 
dolph, Wm.  Fitzhugh  of  Chatham,  George  Wythe,  Richard 
Kidder  Meade,  Lewis  Burwell,  John  Wales,  Nathaniel  Harri- 
son, Junr  ,  and  Thomson  Mason,  to  a  tenth  part  of  two  or  three 
half  acre  lots,  &  200  acre  lots  in  the  aforesaid  lottery.  But  as 

I  purchased 


98 

I  purchased  of  John  Hood  conveyed  by  Wil- 
liam Willie  and  Samuel  Gordon,  Trustees  of  the 
said  John  Hood,  numbered  139  in  the  town  of 
Edenburgh  in  the  county  of  Prince  George,  State 
of  Virginia.* 

ITEM — To  my  nephew,  Bushrod  Washington  I 
give  and  bequeath  all  the  papers  in  my  possession 
which  relate  to  my  civil  and  military  administra- 
tion of  the  affairs  of  this  Country: — I  leave  to  him 
also  such  of  my  private  papers  as  are  worth  pre- 
serving;— and  at  the  decease  [of  my]  wife  and 
before,  if  she  is  not  inclined  to  retain  them,  I 
give  and  bequeath  my  library  of  Books  and  pam- 
phlets of  every  kind.f 

Thomson  Mason  (with  or  without  authority)  sold  this  property 
and  never  to  me  at  least  accounted  for  an  iota  of  the  amount, 
little  I  presume  is  to  be  expected  from  this  concern."  George 
Washington  to  Bushrod  Washington,  29  June,  1796.  The  man- 
agers and  trustees  of  this  lottery  were  John  Robinson,  Peter 
Randolph,  Peyton  Randolph,  Presley  Thornton,  John  Page, 
Charles  Carter  and  Charles  Trumbull,  and  the  deed  of  trust 
was  dated  18  December,  1756.  In  1781  all  the  trustees  were 
dead,  Charles  Carter  alone  excepted,  and  the  Legislature  passed 
an  act  empowering  him  to  give  the  proper  conveyances  of  lauds 
and  tenements.  Hening^s  Statutes,  x,  446. 

*  Prince  George  county  was  cut  out  from  Charles  City  county 
in  1702. 

t  The  papers  mentioned  in  this  clause  were  used  by  Justice 
Marshall  in  the  preparation  of  his  Life  of  Washington,  and 
later  by  Sparks.  They  were  purchased  by  Congress  and  de- 
posited in  the  Department  of  State. 

The  library  has  been  scattered,  but  a  number  of  the  volumes 
were  purchased  by  the  Boston  Athenaeum. 

[15] 


.      99 

[15]  ITEM — Having  sold  lands  which  I  possessed 
in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  and  part  of  a  tract 
held  in  equal  right,  with  George  Clinton,  late 
Governor  of  New  York,  in  the  State  of  New  York; 
— my  share  of  land  and  interest  in  the  great  Dis- 
mal Swamp  and  a  tract  of  land  which  I  owned  in 
the  County  of  Gloucester; — withholding  the  legal 
titles  thereto  until  the  consideration  money  should 
be  paid — and  having  moreover  leased  and  con- 
ditionally sold,  (as  will  appear  by  the  tenor  of  the 
said  leases)  all  my  lands  upon  the  Great  Kanhawa 
and  the  tract  upon  Difficult  Run  in  the  County  of 
London,  it  is  my  will  and  direction  that  whenso- 
ever the  contracts  are  fully  and  respectively  com- 
plied with  according  to  the  spirit,  true  intent,  and 
meaning  thereof  on  the  part  of  the  purchaser,  their 
heirs,  or  assigns,  that  then  and  in  that  case  con- 
veyances are  to  be  made  agreeably  to  the  terms  of 
the  said  contracts  and  the  money  arising  therefrom 
when  paid  to  be  vested  in  Bank  stock,  the  divi- 
dends whereof,  as  of  that  also  which  is  already 
vested  therein,  is  to  inure  to  my  said  wife  during  her 
life  but  the  stock  it'self  is  to  remain  &  [16]  be  sub- 
ject to  the  general  distribution  hereafter  directed. 

ITEM — To  the  Earl  of  Buchan  I  recommit,  "The 
"Box  made  of  the  Oak  that  sheltered  the  Great  Sir 
"William  Wallace  after  the  battle  of  Falkirk"*— 

*The  box  was  presented  to  the  Corporation  of  Goldsmiths 
at  Edinburgh,  which  presented  it  to  David  Stuart  Erskine,  the 
Earl  of  Buchan,  with  the  freedom  of  the  Company.  In  a  letter 

presented 


IOO      • 

presented  to  me  his  Lordship  in  terms  too  flattering 
for  me  to  repeat, — with  a  request  "To  pass  it,  on 
"the  event  of  my  decease  to  the  man  in  my  Coun- 
try who  should  appear  to  merit  it  best,  upon  the 
"same  conditions  that  have  induced  him  to  send  it 
"to  me" — Whether  easy  or  not  to  select  the  man 
who  might  comport  with  his  Lordship's  opinion  in 
this  respect,  is  not  for  me  to  say,  but  conceiving 
that  no  disposition  of  this  valuable  curiosity,  can 
be  more  eligible  than  the  re-commitment  of  it  to 
his  own  cabinet  agreeably  to  the  original  design  of 
the  Goldsmith's  Company  of  Edinburgh,  who  pre- 
sented it  to  him,  and  at  his  request,  consented  that 
it  should  be  transferred  to  me;  I  do  give  and  be- 
queath the  same  to  his  Lordship,  and  in  case  of  his 
decease,  to  his  heir  with  my  grateful  thanks  for  the 
distinguished  honor  of  presenting  it  to  me,  and 
more  especially  for  the  favorable  sentiments  [17] 
with  which  he  accomplished  it — 

of  15  September,  1791,  the  Earl  wrote  to  Washington:  "  It  is  a 
respectable  curiosity,  and  will,  I  flatter  myself,  be  a  relic  of  long 
endurance  in  America,  as  a  mark  of  that  esteem  with  which  I 
have  the  honor  to  be  &c."  And  in  the  letter  which  accom- 
panied the  box  (28  June,  1791)  he  said:  "  Feeling  my  own  un- 
worthiness  to  receive  this  magnificently  significant  present,  I 
requested  and  obtained  leave  to  make  it  over  to  the  man  to 
whom  I  thought  it  most  justly  due ;  into  your  hands  I  commit 
it;  requesting  of  you  to  pass  it  [as  in  the  will]."  In  1791  the 
bearer  of  the  box,  Mr.  Archibald  Robertson,  a  portrait  painter, 
reached  America,  and  in  January,  1792,  the  box  was  placed  in 
the  President's  hands.  Washington's  letter  of  acknowledg- 
ment is  printed  in  Sparks,  x.,  229. 

ITEM 


IOI 

ITEM — To  my  brother  Charles  Washington  I 
give  and  bequeath  the  Gold-headed  cane  left  me  by 
Doct'r  Franklin  in  his  will — *  I  add  nothing  to  it 
because  of  the  ample  provision  I  have  made  for  his 
issue — To  the  acquaintances  and  friends  of  my  ju- 
venile  years,  Lawrence  Washington  and  Robert 
Washington  of  Chotanck^  I  give  my  other  two 

*  "My  fine  crab-tree  walking-stick,  with  a  gold  head  curiously 
wrought  in  the  form  of  the  cap  of  liberty,  I  give  to  my  friend, 
and  the  friend  of  mankind,  General  Washington.  If  it  were  a 
sceptre,  he  has  merited  it,  and  would  become  it.  It  was  a 
present  to  me  from  that  excellent  woman,  Madame  de  Forbach, 
the  Dowager  Duchess  of  Deux-Ponts,  connected  with  some  ver- 
ses which  should  go  with  it."  Franklin's  Will.  This  staff 
passed  to  the  only  surviving  son  of  Charles,  Captain  Samuel 
Washington,  who  transmitted  it  to  his  son,  Samuel  T.  Wash- 
ington. In  January,  1843,  it  was,  with  a  sword  of  Washington, 
presented  by  Samuel  T.  Washington  to  Congress.  The  verses 
appear  to  have  been  lost. 

f  These  were  descendants  of  Lawrence  Washington,  thus: — 
Mary  Jones  =  Lawrence  =  Jane  Fleming 


I  I 

JMary                         John  m.                            Ann 
(i)  Mary  Townshend    (2)  


I 

John,  m  Townshend,  m 
Massy  Elizabeth  Lund 


I  I 

LAWRENCE  ROBERT  LUND 

gold- 


102 

gold-headed  canes,  having  my  arms  engraved  on 
them,  and  to  each  (as  they  will  be  useful  where 
they  live),  I  leave  one  of  the  spy  glasses  which 
constituted  part  of  my  Equipage  during  the  late 

war* To  my  compatriot  in  arms  and  old  and 

intimate  friend  Doct'r  Craik,  I  give  my  Bureau  (or 
as  the  Cabinet  makers  called  it  Tambour  Secretary) 
and  the  circular  chair,  an  appendage  of  my  study 
— To  Doct'r  David  Stuartf  I  give  my  large  shaving 
and  dressing  Table,  and  my  Telescope J — To  the 

*  A  spy  glass,  used  by  Washington,  and  made  by  Jas.  Chap- 
man, in  London,  was  sold  at  auction  in  Philadelphia,  22  April, 
1891.  It  was  inherited  by  Lawrence  Washington,  but  I  doubt 
if  it  was  the  one  of  those  mentioned  in  the  will. 

I  David  Stuart  married  Nellie  [Calvert]  Custis,  widow  of  John 
Parke  Custis. 

|  On  January  i,  1824,  George  Washington  Parke  Custis  pre- 
sented to  Andrew  Jackson,  then  President,  a  pocket  telescope, 
used  by  Washington  during  the  revolution.  "  General  Jackson 
received  the  relic  in  a  manner  peculiarly  impressive,  which 
showed  that  however  time,  hard  service  and  infirmity  may  have 
impaired  a  frame  no  longer  young,  the  heart  was  still  entire, 
and  alive  to  the  heroic  and  generous  feelings  of  the  soldier,  the 
patriot,  and  the  friend."  National  Intelligencer,  quoted  in 
Parton's  Life  of  Andrew  Jackson,  III.,  37. 

The  remarkable  number  of  telescopes  in  Washington's  pos- 
session, or  so  described  since  his  death,  led  me  to  suspect  that 
he  had  an  opportunity  of  looting  the  stock  of  some  instrument 
maker,  or  had  access  to  the  laboratory  of  some  institution  of 
learning.  The  latter  was  the  case.  In  the  Journals  of  the  New 
York  Provincial  Congress,  under  date  8  August,  1776,  is  the  fol- 
lowing entry:  "A  letter  from  John  Berrieu  and  Henry  Wilmot, 

Reverend 


103 

Reverend,  now  Bryan  Lord  Fairfax  I  give  a  Bible 
in  three  large  folio  volumes  with  notes,  presented 
to  me  by  the  Right  Reverend  Thomas  Wilson, 
Bishop  of  Sodor  &  Man* — To  General  de  la  Fayette 

Esqrs.,  dated  and  received  yesterday,  was  read  and  filed.  They 
therein  mention  that  they  had,  by  application  to  the  Reverend 
Mr.  Inglis,  obtained  the  telescope  belonging  to  the  college  for 
the  use  of  His  Excellency  General  George  Washington,  and 
delivered  to  his  aid-de-camp,  whom  the  General  had  sent  to  re- 
ceive it;  that  Mr.  Inglis  readily  consented  to  the  delivery  of  it, 
and  the  General  had  been  anxious  to  obtain  it." 

*  This  account  of  the  bible  was  an  error  on  Washington's  part. 
Thomas  Wilson,  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man,  died  7  March,  1755. 
In  1785  appeared  "The  Bible,  with  notes,  by  Thomas  Wilson, 
D.  D.,  Lord  Bishop  of  Sodor  and  Man,  and  various  Renderings, 
collected  from  other  Translations,  by  the  Rev.  Clement  Crutt- 
well,  the  Editor."  Bath,  1785,  4to.,  3  vols.  This  was  the  edition 
that  the  son,  also  named  Thomas  Wilson,  presented  to  Wash- 
ington. The  presentation  must  have  occurred  immediately 
after  the  Revolution,  for  the  son  died  at  Bath,  in  April,  1784. 
He  was  chiefly  notable  by  his  extravagant  appreciation  of  Mrs. 
Macaulay,  whose  statue,  in  the  costume  of  the  goddess  of  Lib- 
erty, he  erected  in  his  own  church.  It  is  very  probable  that  the 
bible  was  sent  over  at  the  time  that  Dr.  Wilson  sent  to  Congress 
a  number  of  copies  of  his  father's  works,  which  were  distributed 
among  the  delegates.  Journals  of  Congress,  22  March,  1785. 

These  volumes  were  sold  by  auction  in  New  York,  more  than 
twenty  years  ago,  by  order,  I  am  told,  of  Mr.  William  H.  Cor- 
ner of  Baltimore,  who  had  advanced  money  upon  them.  They 
were  purchased  by  Messrs.  Porter  and  Coates,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  were  in  their  possession  in  1876.  Some  time  after,  they 
were  bought  for  the  Library  of  Congress,  and  are  now  there,  but 
inaccessible.  Messrs.  Porter  and  Coates  write  me  that  each 
volume  contains  the  signature  of  Washington,  but  they  cannot 

I  give 


IO4 

I  give  a  pair  of  finely  wrought  steel  pistols  taken 
from  the  enemy  in  the  Revolutionary  war — To 
my  sisters  in  law  [i8j  Hannah  Washington,*  and 

recall  any  dedication  from  Dr.  Wilson.  My  thanks  are  given 
to  Messrs.  Porter  and  Coates,  and  to  Mr.  David  Hutcheson,  of 
the  Library  of  Congress,  for  these  facts.  The  library  of  Mr. 
Corner  was  sold  at  auction  in  New  York,  November,  1866,  but 
the  Bible  is  not  mentioned  in  the  Catalogue. 

After  this  note  was  in  type  I  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Wil- 
son Miles  Gary,  of  Baltimore,  who  kindly  made  inquiries  for 
me  in  that  city,  giving  the  following  account: — 

"The  Rev.  Bryan  Lord  Fairfax  left  the  three  volumes  by  will 
to  the  Hon.  John  C.  Herbert  (1777-1846),  who  was  the  eldest 
grandson  of  his  sister  Sarah,  wife  of  Major  John  Carlyle. 
Thus: 


Bryan  Fairfax  Sarah  Fairfax  m.  John  Carlyle 

I 
Sarah  Carlyle  m.  Wm.  Herbert 

I 
John  C.  Herbert  m.  Mary  Snowden 


Thomas  Herbert  Edward  Herbert 

I 
Col.  Jas.  R.  Herbert 

From  John  C.  Herbert  it  descended  to  his  son,  Edward  Her- 
bert, of  Baltimore,  who,  subsequently  to  the  war,  being  in 
straitened  circumstances,  through  the  medium  of  Col.  Jas.  R. 
Herbert,  his  nephew,  offered  the  books  to  Mr.  Corner,  then  a 
collector  of  such  things." 

*  Hannah  [Bushrod],  widow  of  John  Augustine  Washington. 

Mildred 


105 

Mildred  Washington;*  —  To  my  friends  Eleanor 
Stuartjf  Hannah  Washington  of  Fairfield|  and 
Elizabeth  Washington  of  Hayfield,||  I  give  each  a 
mourning  Ring  of  the  value  of  one  hundred  dollars 
—  These  bequests  are  not  made  for  the  intrinsic 
value  of  them,  but  as  mementos  of  my  esteem  and 
regard  —  To  Tobias  Lear§  I  give  the  use  of  the 
farm  which  he  now  holds  in  virtue  of  a  lease  from 
me1:o  him  and  his  deceased  wife  (for  and  during 
their  natural  lives)  free  from  Rent  during  his  life, 
at  the  expiration  of  which  it  is  to  be  disposed  as  is 
hereafter  directed  —  To  Sally  B.  Haynie  (a  distant 
relation  of  mine)  I  give  and  bequeath  three  hun- 
dred dollars^  —  To  Sarah  Green  daughter  of  the  de- 
ceased Thomas  Bishop  and  to  Ann  Walker,  daugh- 
ter of  John  Alton,**  also  deceased  I  give  each  one 
hundred  dollars,  in  consideration  of  the  attachment 
of  their  father[s]  to  me,  each  of  whom  having  lived 

*  Mildred  [Thornton],  widow  of  Charles  Washington. 

t  Eleanor  Calvert,  widow  of  John  Parke  Custis,  and  wife  of 
Doctor  David  Stuart. 

%  Hannah  [Fairfax],  wife  of  Warren  Washington. 

||  Elizabeth  [Foote],  widow  of  Lund  Washington. 

\  Lear  came  to  Mount  Vernon  29  May,  1  786,  as  private  secre- 
tary to  the  General,  and  tutor  to  Washington  Custis.  In  1795  a 
perpetual  lease  of  360  acres  was  made  to  Tobias  and  Frances 
Lear. 

\  Sally  Ball  Haynie  was  the  daughter  of  Elizabeth  Haynie. 

**  Alton  and  Bishop  were  old  servants  of  Washington. 

nearl 


' 


io6 

nearly  forty  years  in  my  family.— To  each  of  my 
nephews  William  Augustine  Washington,  George 
Lewis,  George  Steptoe  Washington,  Bushrod  Wash- 
ington, and  Samuel  Washington,  I  give  one  of  the 
swords  or  cutteaux  of  which  I  may  die  posfig]- 
sessed,  and  they  are  to  chuse  in  the  order  they  are 
named. — These  swords  are  accompanied  with  an 
injunction  not  to  unsheath  them  for  the  purpose  of 
shedding  blood  except  it  be  for  self  defence,  OF  in 
defence  of  their  Country  and  it's  rights,  and  in  the 
latter  case  to  keep  them  unsheathed,  and  prefer 
falling  with  them  in  their  hands  to  the  relinquish- 
ment  thereof.* 

*  The  history  of  these  swords  is  by  no  means  easy  to  write. 
In  1843  Col.  George  Corbin  Washington,  of  Georgetown,  wrote 
to  George  W.  Summers,  a  member  of  Congress,  that  he  had  in 
his  possession  two  of  the  swords,  the  one  devised  to  him  by  his 
father,  William  Augustine  Washington,  and  the  other  by  his 
uncle,  Judge  Bushrod  Washington.  There  were  others  in  the 
possession  of  George  Lewis  and  George  Steptoe  Washington, 
and  the  fifth  was  offered  by  Samuel  T.  Washington,  a  son  of 
Samuel,  to  the  government  (1843).  "My  father,"  continued 
George  C.  Washington,  "was  entitled  to  the  first  choice  under 
the  will,  but  was  prevented  by  indisposition  from  attending  at 
Mount  Vernon  when  the  distribution  took  place,  and  Judge 
Washington  selected  for  him  the  most  finished  and  costly 
sword,  with  which  associations  were  connected  highly  compli- 
mentary to  General  Washington ;  but  I  often  heard  my  father 
say  that  he  would  have  preferred  the  sword  selected  by  Colonel 
Samuel  Washington,  from  the  fact  that  it  was  used  by  the 
General  during  the  revolutionary  war.  I  have  at  different 
times  heard  similar  statements  as  to  this  fact  made  by  Colonel 

Having 


107 

AND  NOW, 

Having  gone  through  these  specific  devises,  with 
explanations  for  the  more  correct  understanding  of 
the  meaning  and  design  of  them,  I  proceed  to  the 
distribution  of  the  more  important  parts  of  my  Es- 
tate, in  manner  following 

Samuel  Washington,  Judge  Washington,  and  Major  Lawrence 
Lewis,  and  am  not  aware  that  it  has  been  questioned  by  any 
member  of  the  family.  The  sword  was  represented  to  me  as 
being  a  couteau,  with  a  plain  green  ivory  handle."  This  par- 
ticular sword  was  said  to  have  been  worn  by  Washington  during 
the  Revolution,  and  again  1794,  when  he  took  command  of  the 
army  against  the  Whiskey  Insurrection.  This  sword  is  now  in 
the  Department  of  State,  Washington.  "The  handle  is  of 
ivory,  colored  a  pale  green,  and  wound  spirally  at  wide  inter- 
vals with  silver  wire.  It  was  manufactured  by  J.  Bailey,  Fish- 
kill,  Dutchess  County,  New  York,  and  has  the  maker's  name 
engraved  upon  the  hilt."  Custis,  Recollections,  160. 

A  second  sword  was  at  Mount  Vernon  in  1859,  and  was  de- 
scribed by  Lossing,  as  "the  Spanish  dress-sword  worn  by  Wash- 
ington when  he  was  President  of  the  United  States,  and  which 
appears  in  Stuart's  full  length  portrait  of  him  at  that  time.  It 
has  a  finely  gilt  hilt,  and  black  leather  scabbard,  gilt  mounted. 
On  one  side  of  the  blade  are  the  words  RECTI  FAC  ET  ICE(?) — 
'  Do  what  is  right ; '  on  the  other,  NEMINEM  TIMEAS — '  Fear  no 
man.'  "  This  sword,  in  a  much  injured  condition,  was  sold  at 
auction  in  Philadelphia,  22  April,  1891,  for  $1100.  The  cata- 
logue states:  "  During  the  late  civil  war,  this  sword,  with  a  lot 
of  other  valuables,  was  hid  in  a  pigeon  house,  where  it  was  so 
injured  by  rust  that  the  scabbard  was  destroyed  and  the  blade 
so  rusted  that  it  obliterated  the  inscription.  About  five  inches 
of  the  lower  portion  of  the  blade  has  been  broken  off,  but  is 
joined  to  the  other  part  of  the  blade  by  a  gold  band.  The 

First — 


io8 

First — To  my  nephew  Bushrod  Washington  and 
his  heirs  (partly  in  consideration  of  an  intimation  to 
his  deceased  father,  while  we  were  bachelors  and 
he  had  kindly  undertaken  to  superintend  my  Es- 
tate, during  my  military  services  in  the  former  war 
between  Great  Britain  and  France,  that  if  I  should 
fall  therein,  Mt.  Vernon  (then  less  extensive  in 
dominion  than  at  present,  should  become  his 

gold-plated  top  of  the  scabbard  is  missing.  The  hilt  of  the 
sword,  and  other  trappings,  are  gold  plated."  This  sword  was 
the  one  selected  by  Judge  Bushrod  Washington. 

A  third  sword,  that  selected  by  George  Steptoe  Washington, 
is  now  in  the  possession  of  Miss  Alice  L.  Riggs,  of  Washington, 
D.  C.  It  was  made  by  Theophilus  Alt,  of  Solingen,  Germany, 
and  sent  to  America  in  charge  of  his  son,  who  was  to  present  it 
to  Washington.  The  young  man  upon  reaching  America,  fell 
into  bad  hands,  was  frightened  out  of  his  purpose,  and  pawn- 
ing the  sword,  went  into  the  interior.  Washington  had  noticed 
an  announcement  in  the  gazettes  that  a  sword  of  masterly 
workmanship  was  about  to  be  presented  to  him  by  a  celebrated 
foreign  artist,  as  an  evidence  of  his  veneration,  &c.  "I  thought 
no  more  of  the  matter  afterwards,  until  a  gentleman  with  whom 
I  have  no  acquaintance,  coming  from  and  going  to  I  know  not 
where,  at  a  tavern  I  never  could  get  information  of,  came  across 
this  sword  (for  it  is  presumed  to  be  the  same),  pawned  for  thirty 
dollars,  which  he  paid,  left  it  in  Alexandria,  nine  miles  from 
my  house  in  Virginia,  with  a  person  who  refunded  him  the 
money,  and  sent  the  sword  to  me.  This  is  all  I  have  been  able 
to  learn  of  this  curious  affair.  The  blade  is  highly  wrought, 
and  decorated  with  many  military  emblems.  It  has  my  name 
engraved  thereon,  and  the  following  inscription,  translated 
from  the  Dutch,  'Condemner  of  despotism,  Preserver  of  Lib- 
erty, glorious  Man,  take  from  my  Son's  hands  this  Sword,  I  beg 

property) 


log 

property)  I  give  and  bequeath  all  that  part  thereof 
which  is  comprehen[2o]ded  within  the  following 
limits — viz: — Beginning  at  the  ford  of  Dogue  Run 
near  my  mill  and  extending  along  the  road  and 
bounded  thereby  as  it  now  goes,  and  ever  has  gone 
since  my  recollection  of  it,  to  the  ford  of  little 
hunting  Creek,  at  the  gum  spring  until  it  comes  to 
a  knowl  opposite  to  an  old  road  which  formerly 

you.  A.  SOLUNGEN.'  The  hilt  is  either  gold,  or  richly  plated 
with  that  metal,  and  the  whole  carries  with  it  the  form  of  a 
horseman's  sword  or  long  sabre."  Washington  to  John  Quincy 
Adams,  12  September,  1796.  This  sword  also  has  suffered  much 
"owing  to  burial  during  the  late  war,  by  the  Washingtons. "  It 
was  among  the  relics  exhibited  at  New  York.iu  1889. 

A  fourth  sword,  that  selected  for  William  Augustine  Wash- 
ington, passed  into  the  possession  of  his  son  George  Corbin 
Washington,  and  from  him  to  that  of  Lewis  William  Washing- 
ton. His  wife,  Ella  Bassett  Washington,  sold  it,  with  other 
relics,  to  the  State  Library  of  New  York,  where  it  now  is.  It 
is  described  in  the  Report  of  the  Library  for  1873,  as  t*16  "dress 
sword  of  Washington."  It  is  a  "straight  pointed  blade,  with 
hilt  and  chain  of  polished  steel,  dotted  with  steel  beads.  The 
present  case  of  green  Turkey  morocco  is  not  the  original ;  that 
was  of  white  shagreen  or  shark  skin.  It  was  cleaned  and  cov- 
ered in  1854  in  Baltimore  by  S.  Jackson,  cutler." 

To  the  New  York  Exhibition  of  1889,  Miss  Virginia  T.  Lewis, 
of  Baltimore,  contributed  a  dress  sword,  described  as  follows: 
"  It  has  a  handsome  filagree  handle  and  guard,  with  sword-knot 
to  correspond ;  the  rapier-blade  sheathed  in  a  sheepskin  or  white 
parchment  scabbard,  which  is  silver-mounted.  Washington 
wore  this  sword  when  resigning  his  commission  as  Commander- 
in-chief  of  the  army  in  Annapolis,  December  23,  1783,  and  when 
inaugurated  in  New  York,  April  30,  1789,  and  afterward  on  all 

passed 


no 

passed  through  the  lower  field  of  Muddy-Hole 
Farm;  at  which,  on  the  north  side  of  the  said  road 
are  three  red  or  Spanish  oaks  marked  as  a  corner, 
and  a  stone  placed — thence  by  a  line  of  trees  to  be 
marked  rectangular  to  the  black  line,  or  outer 
boundary  of  the  tract  between  Thomson  Mason 
and  myself, — thence  with  that  line  easterly,  (now 
double  ditching  with  a  post  and  rail  fence  thereon) 

state  and  dress  occasions."  -This  is  probably  the  sword  received 
by  George  Lewis,  though  I  am  unable  to  identify  it  positively, 
no  reply  being  received  to  my  inquiries. 

A  sword  was  exhibited  in  New  York,  in  1889,  as  one  that  had 
been  presented  to  Washington  by  Major-General  William 
Darke.  Upon  application  to  Mr.  Thornton  A.  Washington, 
who  exhibited  the  sword,  he  very  courteously  gave  me  the  fol- 
lowing information:  "The  sword  was  not  one  of  the  five  swords 
mentioned  in  George  Washington's  will.  It,  together  with  a 
suit  of  clothes,  was  presented  by  G.  W.  in  person,  to  Lawrence 
Augustine  Washington,  a  nephew  of  his,  and  a  son  of  his  oldest 
full  brother  Col.  Samuel  Washington,  late  of  Harewood,  Berke- 
ley Co.,  now  Jefferson  Co.,  West  Virginia.  This  Lawrence  A. 
Washington,  together  with  a  brother,  George  Steptoe  Washing- 
ton, were  left  orphans  by  the  death  of  their  father,  the  said 
Col.  Samuel,  iu  the  fall  of  1781  .  .  .  On  the  death  of  Lawrence 
A.  Washington,  about  1824,  the  sword  and  suit  went  to  his  son 
of  the  same  name.  He,  the  last  named  L.  A.  W.,  after  gradu- 
ating at  the  medical  college  in  Philadelphia,  removed  with  his 
family  to  Texas,  and  died  there  about  ten  years  ago,  and  his 
widow,  Mrs.  Martha  D.  Washington,  who  had  become  impov- 
erished by  the  war,  and  who  became  the  owner  of  these  relics, 
placed  them  in  my  hands  for  sale.  They  had  never  been  on 
any  public  exhibition.  They  are  now  the  property  of  the 
Washington  Association,  at  Morristown,  New  Jersey." 

to 


Ill 

to  the  run  of  little  hunting  Creek,  thence  with  that 
run,  which  is  the  boundary  of  the  lands  of  the  late 
Humphrey  Peake  and  me,  to  the  tide  water  of  the 
said  Creek  thence  by  that  water  to  Potomac  River, 
thence  with  the  River  to  the  mouth  of  Dogue 
Creek,  and  thence  with  the  said  Dogue  Creek  to 
the  place  of  beginning,  at  the  aforesaid  ford,  con- 
taining upwards  of  Four  thousand  acres,  be  the 
same  more  or  less  together  with  the  Mansion 
House,  [21]  and  all  other  buildings  and  improvemt* 
thereon. — 

Secondly — In  consideration  of  the  consanguinity 
between  them  and  my  wife,  being  as  nearly  related 
to  her  as  to  myself,  as  on  account  of  the  affection  I 
had  for,  and  the  obligation  I  was  under  to  their 
father  when  living,  who  from  his  youth  had  at- 
tached himself  to  my  person  and  followed  my  for- 
tunes through  the  vicissitudes  of  the  late  Revolu- 
tion, afterwards  devoting  his  time  to  the  superin- 
tendence of  my  private  concerns  for  many  years 
whilst  my  public  employments  rendered  it  imprac- 
ticable for  me  to  do  it  myself,  thereby  affording  me 
essential  services,  and  always  performing  them  in 
a  manner  the  most  filial  and  respectful ;  for  these 
reasons  I  say,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  George  Fay- 
ette  Washington  and  L,awrence  Augustine  Wash- 
ington* &  their  heirs  my  Estate  East  of  little 

*Sons  of  Major  George  Augustine  Washington  and  Frances 
Bassett.     George  Fayette  was  the  second  of  that  name.     It  is 

hunting 


112 

hunting  creek  lying  on  the  River  Potomac,  includ- 
ing the  farm  of  360  acres,  leased  to  Tobias  Lear  as 
noticed  before  and  containing  in  the  whole,  by 
deeds,  Two  thousand  &  twenty  seven  acres  be  it 
more  or  less  which  said  Estate,  it  is  my  will  and 
desire  should  be  equitably  and  advantageously  di- 
vided between  them,  according  to  quantity,  quality 
&  other  circumstances  when  [22]  the  youngest 
shall  have  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years, 
by  three  judicious  and  disinterested  men,  one  to  be 
chosen  by  each  of  the  brothers  and  the  third  by 
these  two, — In  the  mean  time  if  the  termination  of 
my  wife's  interest  therein  should  have  ceased  the 
profits,  arising  therefrom  are  to  be  applied  for  their 
joint  uses  and  benefit. 

Third — And  whereas  it  has  always  been  my  in- 
tention, since  my  expectation  of  having  issue  has 
ceased,  to  consider  the  grand  children  of  my  wife 
in  the  same  light  as  I  do  my  own  relations  and  to 
act  a  friendly  part  by  them,  more  especially  by  the 
two  whom  we  have  reared  from  their  earliest  in- 
fancy, namely,  Eleanor  Parke  Custis  and  George 
Washington  Parke  Custis;  and  whereas  the  former 
of  these  hath  lately  intermarried  with  Lawrence 
Lewis,  a  son  of  my  deceased  sister  Betty  Lewis,  by 

not  a  little  remarkable  that  Washington  should  have  written 
Lawrence  Augustine  Washington  for  Charles  Augustine  Wash- 
ington. Lawrence  Augustine  Washington  was  the  son  of  Sam- 
uel Washington. 

which 


which  union  the  inducement  to  provide  for  them 
both  has  been  increased. — Wherefore  I  give  and 
bequeath  to  the  said  Lawrence  Lewis  and  Eleanor 
Parke  Lewis,  his  wife,  and  their  heirs,  the  residue 
of  my  Mount  Vernon  Estate,  not  already  devised 
to  my  nephew  Bushrod  Washington  comprehended 
within  the  fol[23]lowing  description. — viz — all  the 
land  north  of  the  Road  leading  from  the  ford  of 
Dogue  Run  to  the  Gum  Spring  as  described  in  the 
devise  of  the  other  part  of  the  tract  to  Bushrod 
Washington  until  it  comes  to  the  stone  and  three 
red  or  Spanish  oaks  on  the  knowl. — thence  with 
the  rectangular  line  to  the  back  line  (between  Mr. 
Mason  and  me) — thence  with  that  line  westerly, 
along  the  new  double  ditch  to  Dogue  Run,  by  the 
tumbling  dam  of  my  mill, — thence  with  the  said 
Run  to  the  ford  aforementioned; — to  which  I  add 
all  the  land  I  possess  west  of  the  said  Dogue  Run 
&  Dogue  Crk  bonded,  Easterly  &  Southerly 
thereby — together  with  the  mill,  Distillery  and  all 
other  houses  and  improvements  on  the  premises 
making  together  about  two  thousand  acres  be  it 
more  or  less. 

Fourth — Actuated  by  the  principle  already  men- 
tioned, I  give  and  bequeath  to  George  Washington 
Parke  Custis  the  Grand  son  of  my  wife  and  my 
ward  and  to  his  heirs,  the  tract  I  hold  on  four  mile 
Run  in  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria  containing  one 

thousd 


thousd  two  hundred  acres  more  or  less* ; — and  my 
entire  square,  numbering  twenty  one,  in  the  city 
of  Washington. 

[24]  Fifth — All  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  Estate, 
real  and  personal,  not  disposed  of  in  manner  afore- 
said— In  whatsoever  consisting — wheresoever  ly- 
ing, and  wheresoever  found — a  Schedule  of  which 
as  far  as  is  recollected,  with  a  reasonable  estimate 
of  its  value  is  hereunto  annexed — I  desire  may  be 
sold  by  my  Executors  at  such  times — in  such  man- 
ner, and  in  such  credits  (if  an  equal  valid  and 
satisfactory  distribution  of  the  specific  property 
cannot  be  made  without)  as,  in  their  judgment 
shall  be  most  conducive  to  the  interests  of  the 
parties  concerned,  and  the  monies  arising  there- 
from to  be  divided  into  twenty  three  equal  parts 
and  applied  as  follows — viz: — 

To  William  Augustine  Washington,  Elizabeth 
Spotswood,  Jane  Thornton,  and  the  heirs  of  Ann 
Ashtonjf  son  and  daughters  of  my  deceased  brother 

*A  fac-simile  of  a  survey  by  Washington  of  this  tract  is 
printed  in  Custis,  Recollections  and  Private  Memoirs  of  Wash- 
ington, 445. 

\  William  Augustine,  born  at  Wakefield,  25  November,  1757, 
married  (i)  his  cousin  Jane,  daughter  of  John  Augustine  Wash- 
ington, 25  September,  1777;  (2)  Mary,  daughter  of  Richard 

Henry  Lee,  lojuly,  1792;  (3)  Taylor,  n  May,  1799;  died  at 

Georgetown,  Va.,  October,  1810.  Elizabeth,  born  at  Wakefield, 
about  1750;  married  Alexander  Spotswood.  Jane,  born  at 
Wakefield,  about  1752,  married  Col. Thornton.  Ann,  born 

Augustine 


"5 

Augustine  Washington,  I  give  and  bequeath  four 
parts — that  is — one  part  to  each  of  them. 

To  Fielding  Lewis,  George  Lewis,  Robert  Lewis, 
Howell  Lewis,  &  Betty  Carter,  sons  and  daughter 
of  my  deceased  sister  Betty  Lewis  I  give  &  bequeath 
five  other  parts — one  to  each  of  them. 

To  George  Steptoe  Washington,  Lawrence  Au- 
gustine Washington,  Harriot  [25]  Parks,*  and  the 
heirs  of  Thornton  Washington,  f  sons  and  daughter 
of  my  deceased  brother  Samuel  Washington,  I  give 
and  bequeath  other  four  parts,  one  part  to  each  of 
them. — I 

at  Wakefield,  about  1755 ;  married  Burdet  Ashton,  of  West- 
moreland county;  and  had  one  child  who  lived — Sarah  Ashton. 

*  Married  4  July,  1796,  Andrew  Parks,  of  Baltimore. 

f  He  left  three  sons. 

J  Another  son  of  Samuel  had  incurred  Washington's  dis- 
pleasure because  of  his  extravagance,  and  was  the  subject  of 
the  following  letter: — 

TO   MR.  ROBERT   CHAMBERS. 

MOUNT  VERNON,  28  Jan.  1789. 
Sir, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  i2th  Inst*  enclosing  your 
account  against  M^  Ferdinand  Washington  which  is  herewith 
returned — and  must  inform  you  that  I  have  repeatedly  refused, 
and  am  determined  not  to  have  any  thing  to  do  in  the  settle- 
ment of  his  affairs,  for  his  conduct,  while  living,  was  such  as  I 
totally  disapproved  of,  and  left  no  means  or  advice  unessayed 
to  counteract — His  extravagance  could  not  be  unknown  to  those 
who  had  dealings  with  him,  and  particularly  for  any  length  of 

To 


n6 

To  Corbin  Washington,  and  the  heirs  of  Jane 
Washington,*  I  give  and  bequeath  two  parts; — one 
part  to  each  of  them ; — 

To  Samuel  Washington,  Frances  Ball,f  &  Mil- 
dred Hammond,!  son  and  daughters  of  my  brother 
Charles  Washington  I  give  and  bequeath  three 
parts — one  part  to  each  of  them. — And  to  George 
Fayette  Washington,  Charles  Augustine  Washing- 
ton and  Maria  Washington,  sons  and  daughter  of 
my  deceased  nephew,  Geo:  Augustine  Washington, 
I  give  one  other  part — that  is — to  each  a  third  of 
that  part. 

To  Elizabeth  Parke  L,aw,||  Martha  Parke  Peter,  § 

time ; — they  therefore  who  gave  credit,  and  especially  for  such 
Articles  as  were  not  necessary  for  his  Support,  must  have  been 
sensible,  at  the  time,  of  the  risque  which  they  took  upon  them- 
selves, and  consequently  can  have  no  person  to  reproach  with 
having  drawn  them  into  it. — The  Administrators  must  settle  his 
affairs  in  the  manner  which  appears  most  proper  to  them  with- 
out my  interference  in  any  respect. 

I  am  &c.  G.  WASHINGTON. 

*See  ante,  p.  114. 

t  Married  Col.  Surges  Ball. 

%  Mildred,  daughter  of  Charles  Washington,  born  1777,  mar- 
ried Col.  Thomas  Hammond.  Hayden. 

||  A  sister  of  Nellie  Custis,  born  21  August,  1776,  and  married 
16  January,  1795,  Mr.  Law,  a  nephew  of  Lord  Ellenborough. 

§Born  31  December,  1777,  and  married  Thomas  Peter. 

and 


and  Eleanor  Parke  Lewis,*  I  give  and  bequeath 
three  other  parts — that  is,  a  part  to  each  of  them,  f 

And  to  my  nephew  Bushrod  Washington  & 
Lawrence  Lewis, — and  to  my  ward,  the  grandson 
of  my  wife,|  I  give  and  bequeath  one  other  part; 
— that  is  a  third  part  to  each  of  them — And  if  it 
should  so  happen,  that  any  of  the  persons  whose 
names  are  here  enumerated  (unknown  to  me) 
should  now  [26]  be  deceased,  or  should  die  before 
me,  that  in  either  of  these  cases,  the  heirs  of  such 
deceased  person  shall,  notwithstanding  derive  all 
the  benefit  of  the  bequest,  in  the  same  manner  as 
if  he,  or  she  was  actually  living  at  the  time. 

And  by  way  of  advice,  I  recommend  it  to  my 
Executors  not  to  be  precipitate  in  disposing  of  the 
landed  property  (herein  directed  to  be  sold)  if  from 
temporary  causes  the  sale  thereof  should  be  dull, 

*Born  21  March,  1779,  and  married  Lawrence  Lewis,  the 
nephew  of  General  Washington. 

f  The  three  ladies  mentioned  in  this  clause  were  daughters  of 
John  Parke  Custis  (son  of  Mrs.  Washington,  by  her  first  hus- 
band) and  Nellie  Calvert.  Receiving  no  response  to  some  in- 
quiries made  in  courteous  terms  with  stamp  for  reply  of  Mr. 
Edmund  Law  Rogers,  of  Baltimore,  I  turned  for  information  to 
the  Rev.  Horace  Edwin  Hayden,  of  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  and  was 
not  disappointed.  His  work  in  Virginia  genealogies  constitutes 
one  of  the  most  valuable  records  that  time  and  patience  could 
collect.  I  have  expressed  my  particular  obligations  to  his 
courtesy  in  other  places;  but  make  this  general  one  as  an  index 
of  the  extent  of  those  obligations. 

J  George  Washington  Parke  Custis. 

land 


n8 

experience  having  fully  evinced,  that  the  price  of 
land  (especially  above  the  Falls  of  the  Rivers  & 
on  the  Western  Waters)  have  been  progressively 
rising,  and  cannot  be  long  checked  in  its  increas- 
ing value. — and  I  particularly  recommend  it  to 
such  of  the  Legatees  (under  this  clause  of  my  will) 
as  can  make  it  convenient,  to  take  each  a  share  of 
my  stock  in  the  Potomac  Company  in  preference 
to  the  amount  of  what  it  might  sell  for;  being 
thoroughly  convinced  myself,  that  no  uses  to  which 
the  money  can  be  applied  will  be  so  productive  as 
the  Tolls  arising  from  this  navigation  when  in  full 
operation  (and  this  from  the  nature  of  things  it 
must  be  'ere  long)  and  more  especially  if  that  of 
the  Shenandoah  is  added  thereto. 

[27]  The  family  Vault  at  Mount  Vernon  re- 
quiring repairs,  and  being  improperly  situated  be- 
sides, I  desire  that  a  new  one  of  Brick,  and  upon  a 
larger  scale,  may  be  built  at  the  foot  of  what  is 
commonly  called  the  Vineyard  Inclosure, — on  the 
ground  which  is  marked  out. — In  which  my  re- 
mains, with  those  of  my  deceased  relatives  (now  in 
the  Old  Vault)  and  such  others  of  my  family  as 
may  chuse  to  be  entombed  there,  may  be  deposited. 
— And  it  is  my  express  desire  that  my  corpse  may 
be  interred  in  a  private  manner,  without  parade  or 
funeral  oration.* 

*  Washington  died  on  the  night  of  Saturday,  14  December, 
1799.     On  Sunday  a  mahogany  coffin  was  obtained  of  Henry  & 

Lastly — 


Lastly — I  constitute  and  appoint  my  dearly  be- 
loved wife  Martha  Washington,  my  nephews  Wil- 
liam Augustine  Washington,  Bushrod  Washington, 
George  Steptoe  Washington,  Samuel  Washington 
&  Lawrence  Lewis,  &  my  ward,  George  Washing- 
ton Parke  Custis,  (when  he  shall  have  arrived  at 
the  age  of  twenty  years)  Executrix  and  Executors 
of  this  Will  &  Testament, — In  the  construction  of 

Joseph  Ingle,  of  Alexandria,  "with  silver  plate,  engraved,  fur- 
nished with  lace,  handles  and  a  covered  case  with  lifters."  So 
the  undertakers  described  the  coffin.  Custis  says  it  was  lined 
with  lead,  and  "upon  it  was  placed  at  the  head,  an  ornament 
inscribed  SURGE  AD  JUDICIUM  ;  about  the  middle  of  the  coffin, 
GLORIA  DEO  ;  and  on  a  small  silver  plate,  in  the  form  of  the 
American  shield,  were  the  words : 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON, 

Born  Feb.  22,  1732 
Died  December  14,  1799." 

The  funeral  occurred  on  Wednesday,  the  eighteenth,  and  the 
order  of  procession  is  given  in  Custis's  Recollections,  478  note. 
The  body  was  deposited  in  the  old  burial  vault,  where  it  re- 
mained till  the  new  one  was  constructed  in  accordance  with  the 
terms  of  the  will,  many  years  after  (1830-1).  In  1837,  Mr.  John 
Struthers,  of  Philadelphia,  presented  marble  coffins,  each  cut 
from  a  solid  block  of  Pennsylvania  marble,  and  at  his  sugges- 
tion an  antechamber  to  the  new  vault  was  constructed  in  which 
these  marble  coffins  rest.  An  interesting  record  of  the  transfer 
of  the  remains  to  their  final  resting-place  was  left  by  Mr.  Strick- 
land, who  was  present.  It  is  printed  in  part  in  Winneberger's 
Home  of  Washington,  and  Lossing's  work  of  the  same  title. 
The  Churchman  (date?)  printed  a  letter  from  Jane  C.  Washing- 
ton on  this  incident,  as  well  as  on  the  first  transfer  in  1830,  from 
the  old  vault  to  the  new. 

which 


120 

which  it  will  readily  be  perceived  that  no  profes- 
sional character  has  been  consulted  or  has  had  any 
agency  in  the  draught — and  that,  although  it  has 
occupied  [28]  many  of  my  leisure  hours  to  digest 
&  to  through  it  into  its  present  form,  it  may  not- 
withstanding, appear  crude  and  incorrect — But 
having  endeavored  to  be  plain  and  explicit  in  all 
the  Devises — even  at  the  expense  of  prolixity,  per- 
haps of  tautology,  I  hope,  and  trust,  that  no  dis- 
putes will  arise  concerning  them;  but  if  contrary 
to  expectation  the  case  should  be  otherwise  from 
the  want  of  legal  expression,  or  the  usual  technical 
terms,  or  because  too  much  or  too  little,  has  been 
said  on  any  of  the  devises  to  be  consonant  with 
law,  my  will  and  direction  expressly  is,  that  all 
disputes  (if  unhappily  any  should  arise)  shall  be 
decided  by  three  impartial  and  intelligent  men, 
known  for  their  probity  and  good  understanding; 
two  to  be  chosen  by  the  disputants,  each  having 
the  choice  of  one,  and  the  third  by  those  two. — 
which  three  men  thus  chosen,  shall  unfettered  by 
Law,  or  legal  constructions  declare  their  sense  of 
the  Testator's  intention;  and  such  decision  is,  to 
all  intents  and  purposes  to  be  as  binding  on  the 
Parties  as  if  it  had  been  given  in  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States. 

[29]  In  witness  of  all  and  of  each  of  the  things 
herein  contained  I  have  set  my  hand  and  seal  this 
ninth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  one  thousand  seven 

hundred 


121 


hundred  and  ninety  [nine*]  and  of  the   Indepen- 
dence of  the  United  States,  the  Twenty  fourth. 

G?  WASHINGTON. 


SCHEDULE  OF  PROPERTY  f  comprehended  in  the 
foregoing  Will,  which  is  directed  to  be  sold,  and 
some  of  it,  conditionally  is  sold  ;  with  descriptive 
and  explanitory  notes  relative  thereto. — 

IN  VIRGINIA 

Acres  Price  Dollars 

LOUDOUN  COUNTY — 

Difficult  Run  300  6.666(0) 

(a)  This  tract  for  the  size  of  it  is  valuable; 
more  for  it's  situation  than  the  quality 
of  it's  soil,  though  that  is  good  for  farm- 
ing, with  a  considerable  portion  of  gr'd 
that  might,  very  easily,  be  improved 
into  meadow. — It  lyes  on  the  great  Road 
from  the  City  of  Washington,  Alexan- 
dria and  George  Town  to  Leesburgh  & 
Winchester,  at  Difficult  bridge — nine- 

*A  word  omitted  by  Washington.     It  is  noteworthy  that  the 
will  was  not  signed  in  the  presence  of  witnesses. 

f  I  have  thrown  the  schedule  and  notes  together,  for  the  con- 
venience of  reference. 

teen 


122 

teen  miles  from  Alexandria — less  from 
the  City  &  George  Town,  and  not  more 
than  three  from  Matildaville  at  the  Great 
Falls  of  Potomac — 

There  is  a  valuable  seat  on  the  prem- 
ises— and  the  whole  is  conditionally  sold 
for  the  sum  annexed  in  the  schedule. 

&  FAUQUIER 


Ashby's  Bent          2.481         10        24.810"!      ,~ 
Chattin's  Run  885          8          7.080]      V; 

(ft)  What  the  selling  prices  of  lands  in  the 
vicinity  of  these  two  tracts  are  I  know 
not;  but  compared  with  those  above  the 
ridge,  and  others  below  them  the  value 
annexed  will  appear  moderate — a  less 
one  would  not  obtain  them  from  me. — 

BERKLEY — 

So.  Fork  of  Bullskin  1600 

Head  of  Evan's  M  453 

In  Wormley's  Line  183 


2236  20  44. 720  (r) 
(c)  The  surrounding  land,  not  superior  in 
soil,  situation  or  properties  of  any  sort, 
sell  currently  at  from  twenty  to  thirty 
dollars  an  acre. — The  lowest  price  is 
affixed  to  these. 

FREDERICK — 


123 

FREDERICK — 

Bought   from    Mercer*          571     20      11.420(0?) 

(d)  The  observations  made  in  the  last  note 
applies  equally  to  this  tract  being  in  the 
vicinity  of  them,  and  of  similar  quality, 
altho  it  lye's  in  another  County. 

HAMPSHIRE — 

(e)  On  Potk  River  above  B.  240     15        3.600  (e) 
This  tract  though  small,  is  extremely 
valuable — it  lyes  on  the  Potomac  River, 
about  twelve  miles  above  the  Town  of 
Bath  (or  Warm  Springs)  and  it  is  in  the 
shape  of  a  horse-shoe,  the  River  running 
almost  around  it. — Two  hundred  acres 

of  it  is  rich  low  grounds  ;  with  a  great 
abundance  of  the  largest  and  finest  Wal- 
nut Trees,  which  with  the  produce  of 
the  soil  might  (by  means  of  the   im- 
proved  navigation  of  the  Potomac)  be 
brought  to  a  shipping  port  with  more, 
ease  and  at  a  smaller  expense  than  that 
which  is  transported  30  miles,  only  by 
land. 
GLOUCESTER — 

On  North  River  400  abt        3.6oo(/") 

(f)  This  tract  is  of  second  rate  Gloucester 

*  James  Francis  Mercer,  to  whom  Washington  wrote  some 
very  spicy  letters  upon  his  shortcomings.  The  land  was  taken 
for  a  debt  owing  to  Washington. 

low 


124 

low  ground — it  has  no  improvement 
thereon,  but  lyes  on  navigable  water 
abounding  in  fish  and  oysters  :  it  was 
received  in  payment  of  a  debt  (carrying 
interest)  and  valued  in  the  year  1789,  by 
an  impartial  gentleman  to  ^800 — N.  B. 
it  has  lettely  been  sold  and  there  is  due 
thereon,  a  balance  equal  to.  what  is  an- 
nexed— the  Schedule.* 

^WASHINGTON  TO  COLO.  WARNER  LEWIS. 

MOUNT  VERNON,  19  December,  1788. 
Dear  Sir, 

As  it  has  happened  that  the  only  mode  by  which  a  pretty 
considerable  debt  whh  is  due  to  me,  can  be  discharged  with  any 
convenience  to  the  Estate  that  owes  it,  is  to  receive  a  small  tract 
of  Land  in  Gloucester  County  and  I  believe  not  far  from  you  in 
payment ;  May  I  take  the  liberty  of  requesting  the  favor  of  you 
to  give  me  your  opinion  of  its  worth  with  a  short  detail  of  the 
quality  of  the  soil  growth  thereon — proportion  and  sort  of 
Woodland  to  that  which  is  cleared — Improvements  (if  any) — 
with  the  advantages  and  disadvantages  attending  its  local  Situ- 
ation. 

The  following  description  of  it  I  have  had  from  the  Gentle- 
man who  wishes  me  to  take  it — see  Mr  John  Dandridges  letter 
dated  6th  December  88. 

Of  two  evils  which  present  themselves  to  my  view  in  the 
present  case  namely  to  distress  a  worthy  family,  or  take  Land 
whh  I  do  not  want  in  lieu  of  Money  which  I  really  do  want  I 
prefer  the  latter — The  gentleman  thinks  worth  ^"1000.  For  a 
farthing  less  than  it  is  worth,  I  do  not  desire  to  possess  it;  but  I 
wish  this  to  be  ascertained  by  a  disinterested  gentleman  in 
whose  judgment  I  can  confide — for  this  reason  I  appeal  to  you 

NANSEMOND — 


125 

NANSEMOND — 

Near  Suffolk  %  of 

1 1 19  acres  373       8        2.984  (g) 

(g)  These  373  acres  are  the  third  part  of 
undivided  purchases  made  by  the  de- 
ceased Fielding  Lewis,  Thomas  Walker 
and  myself,  on  full  conviction  that  they 
would  become  valuable. — the  land  lye1  s 
on  the  road  from  Suffolk  to  Norfolk 
touches  (if  I  am  not  mistaken)  some 
part  of  the  navigable  water  of  Nanse- 
mond  River — borders  on — and  compre- 
hends part  of  the  rich  Dismal  Swamp  ; 
is  capable  of  great  improvement  ; — and 
from  it's  situation  must  become  ex- 
tremely valuable. 
GREAT  DISMAL  SWAMP. 

My  dividend  thereof  abt    2o.ooo(^) 

(h)  This  is  an  undivided   interest  wch  I 

without  offering  an  apology  for  the  trouble  it  must  necessarily 
give  you  to  comply  with  my  request. 

Butler  says  "everything  is  worth  what  it  will  fetch"  but 
in  these  times  of  Scarcity  every  thing  will  not  fetch  what  it  is 
worth — and  it  is  for  that  reason  I  have  asked  your  opinion  re- 
specting the  latter. — to  which  I  pray  you  to  add  to  what  amount 
you  conceive  it  would  be  rented,  for  as  to  selling,  I  presume  it 
is  entirely  out  of  the  question  I  mean  for  cash  at  the  sum  fixed 
for  or  it  would  not  have  been  offered  to  me,  it  being  well  known 
to  the  present  proprietor  that  to  take  the  land  is  solely  to  ac- 
comodate  the  Estate  for  which  he  acts. 

I  am  &c.  G.  WASHINGTON. 

held 


126 

held  in  the  Great  Dismal  Swamp  Com- 
pany, containing  about  400  acres,  with 
my  part  of  the  Plantation  and  Stock 
thereon  belonging  to  the  Company  |in 
the  $*d  Swamp.* 

OHIO  RIVER 

Round  Bottom  f  587     10 

Little  Kanhawa  2,314 

1 6  miles  lower  down  2,448 

Opposite  Big  Bent  4>395 


9.744     10      97-440(0 
(i)  These  several  tracts  of  land  are  of  the 

*  Washington  owned  two  of  twenty-one  shares  in  the  Great 
Dismal  Swamp  Company,  which  he  valued  in  1793  at  ^"5000. 
The  Company  in  1762  took  up  40,000  acres  in  the  interior  and 
richest  part  of  the  swamp. 

t  "Having  mentioned  the  name  of  Cresap,  it  reminds  me  of 
another  matter  which  I  must  also  request  the  favor  of  you  to 
give  me  information  upon.  It  is,  whether,  if  he  has  had  any 
surveys  returned  to  the  Land  Office  of  this  State,  there  is  one 
for  about  five  or  six  hundred  acres  for  a  tract  which  is  well 
known  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  Round  Bottom  on 
the  Ohio,  opposite  to  Pipe  Creek,  and  a  little  above  a  creek 
called  Capteening?  He  has,  I  find,  arrested  my  survey  of  it  for 
587  acres,  made  under  all  the  legal  forms,  and  upon  proper 
warrants,  for  no  better  reason  that  I  could  ever  learn,  than  be- 
cause it  has  a  good  bottom  and  convenient  for  him  to  possess  it, 
and  had  it  in  his  power  to  do  it  with  impunity."  Washington 
to  John  Harvie,  10  February,  1784.  See  my  Washington,  II., 

295,  392,  4io. 

first 


127 

first  quality  on  the  Ohio  River  in  the 
parts  where  they  are  situated;  being  al- 
most, if  not  altogether,  River  bottoms. 

The  smallest  of  these  Tracts  is  actually 
sold  at  ten  dollars  an  acre,  but  the  con- 
sideration therefor  not  received,  the 
rest  are  equally  valuable,  and  will  sell  as 
high,  especially  that  which  lye's  just  be- 
low the  little  Kanhawa,  and  is  opposite 
to  a  thick  settlement  on  the  west  side  the 
River. 

The  four  tracts  have  an  aggregate  breadth 
upon  the  River  of  Sixteen  miles  and  is 
bounded  thereby  that  distance.* 

*To  encourage  enlistments  for  the  Virginia  regiment  designed 
to  repel  the  trespasses  of  the  French  on  the  Ohio,  Governor 
Dinwiddie  issued  a  proclamation  dated  19  February,  1754,  offer- 
ing 200,000  acres  of  land,  to  be  divided  among  the  officers  and 
soldiers.  By  an  order  of  Council,  15  December,  1769,  surveys 
were  made,  and  patents  issued  by  Lord  Dunmore.  Washington 
was  much  interested  in  the  matter,  and,  indeed,  was  the  prime 
mover  in  inducing  the  Colony  to  fulfill  its  promise.  In  August, 
1770,  at  Captain  Weedon's,  he  met  the  officers  of  the  old  Vir- 
ginia regiment,  and  in  the  following  October,  he  made  a  jour- 
ney to  the  Ohio  to  locate  the  grants  in  the  interest  of  those  who 
held  patents.  The  journal  of  this  tour  is  printed  in  my  Wash- 
ington, II.,  285-316.  Delays  and  difficulties  occurred  in  com- 
pleting the  grant,  owing  in  part  to  the  conflicting  claims  of  the 
Walpole  grant,  and  it  was  not  until  November,  1772,  that  the 
certificates  of  surveys  were  lodged  in  the  Secretary's  office.  A 
part  of  the  claims  were  then  satisfied,  and  Washington  obtained 

GREAT 


128 

GREAT  KANHAWA — 

Near  the  mouth  west  10,990 

East  Side  above  7,276 

Mouth  of  Cole  River  2,000 

Opposite  thereto  2,950 

Burning  Spring  125 

23,341  2OO.ooo(£) 

(k}  These  tracts  are  situated  on  the  Great 
Kanhawa  River,  and  the  first  four  are 

patents  for  "upwards  of  twenty  thousand  acres  of  land  on  the 
Ohio  and  Great  Kanhawa  (ten  thousand  of  which  are  situated 
on  the  banks  of  the  first  mentioned  river,  between  the  mouths 
of  the  two  Kanhawas,  and  the  remainder  on  the  Great  Kan- 
hawa, or  New  River,  from  the  mouth,  or  near  it,  upwards,  in 
one  continued  survey). "  Advertisement,  15  July,  1773.  These 
appear  to  have  been  obtained  in  his  own  right,  but  fell  short  of 
his  allowance  by  five  thousand  acres,  and  did  not  include  an- 
other five  thousand  acres,  the  rights  to  which  he  had  purchased 
from  Captain  Posey  and  Lieutenant  Thruston. 

Under  the  proclamation  of  19  February,  1754,  Washington 
obtained  warrants  for 

10.990  acres  in  Fincastle  county. 

4-395^ 

2.448  I  in  Botetourt  county. 

2.314) 

These  lands  were  surveyed,  and  patents  granted  by  Lord 
Dunmore,  15  December,  1772,  the  patents  exempting  the  land 
from  any  quit  rents  for  fifteen  years  from  the  date  of  issue. 
"In  the  month  of  March,  1774,  I  encountered  in  preparation 
only,  an  expence  of  at  least  ^"300 ;  by  the  purchase  of  Servants, 
nails,  tools  and  other  necessaries  for  the  purpose  of  seating  and 
cultivating  the  above  lands,  agreeably  to  our  Act  of  Assembly; 

bound 


129 

bound  thereby  for  more  than  forty  miles. 
— It  is  acknowledged  by  all  who  have 
seen  them  (and  of  the  tract  containing 
10,990  acres  which  I  have  been  on  my- 
self, I  can  assert*)  that  there  is  no  richer, 
or  more  valuable  land  in  all  that  Region; 
— They  are  conditionally  sold  for  the 
sum  mentioned  in  the  schedule — that  is, 
200,000  dollars  and  if  the  terms  of  that 
sale  are  not  complied  with,  they  will 

and  for  transporting  the  same  over  the  Allighaney  Mountains — 
but  this  was  entirely  sunk.  The  disturbances  occasioned  by  the 
Indians,  which  immediately  followed,  put  a  stop  to  my  proceed- 
ings— the  servants,  some  of  them,  engaged  in  the  Militia — oth- 
ers squandered — and  the  whole  were  lost  to  me;  while  my 
Goods,  as  I  am  informed,  were  seized  for  the  use  of  the  Militia, 
and  a  fort  which  was  built,  upon  the  Expedition  under  Lord 
Dunmore,  and  no  compensation  made  me  for  them — nor,  if  I 
am  rightly  informed,  anything  given  upon  which  I  can  found  a 
claim. 

"The  March  following  I  went  through  the  second  edition  of 
a  similar  expence,  and  find  by  having  recourse  to  my  papers 
(since  I  came  home)  the  certificates  which  I  enclose  herewith." 
Washington  to  Edmund  Randolph,  18  March,  1784.  The  de- 
tails of  these  expeditions  will  be  found  in  my  collection  of 
Washington's  Writings,  II.,  451,  459 ;  III.,  128. 

*The  original  grant  of  this  tract,  dated  6  July,  1784,  and 
signed  by  Gov.  Benjamin  Harrison,  together  with  three  surveys 
and  'plans  of  the  land,  were  sold  at  auction  in  Philadelphia, 
April,  1891. 

See  letter  of  Washington  to  David  Stuart,  inserted  after  this 
will. 

command 


130 

command  considerable  more.^-The  tract 
of  which  the  125  acres  is  a  moiety,  was 
taken  up  by  General  Andrew  Lewis  and 
myself  for  on  account  of  a  bituminous 
spring,  which  it  contains,  of  so  inflam- 
mable a  nature  as  to  burn  as  freely  as 
spirits,  and  is  as  nearly  difficult  to  ex- 
tinguish. 

MARYLAND — 

Charles  County  600      6        3.600  (/) 

Montgomery  County  519     12        6.228  (m) 

(/)  I  am  but  little  acquainted  with  this 
land,  although  I  have  once  been  on  it. 
— It  was  receiv'd  (many  years  since)  in 
discharge  of  a  debt  due  to  me  from 
Daniel  Jenifer  Adams,  at  the  value  an- 
nexed thereto,  and  must  be  worth  more. 
— It  is  very  level,  lyes  near  the  River 
Potomac. 

(m)  This  tract  lyes  about  30  miles  above 
the  City  of  Washington  not  far  from 
Kittoctan.-?-\t  is  good  farming  land,  and 
by  those  who  are  well  acquainted  with 
it  I  am  informed  that  it  would  sell  at 
twelve  or  $15  pr.  acre.* 

*  Known  as  Woodstock  Manor.  It  was  conveyed  to  Wash- 
ington i  April,  1793,  by  John  Francis  Mercer  and  Sophia,  his 
wife,  and  James  Stewart  and  Rebecca,  his  wife. 

PENNSYLVANIA — 


PENNSYLVANIA — 

Great  Meadows  234      6       i.  404(7*) 

(n)  This  land  is  valuable  on  account  of  it's 
local  situation  and  other  properties. — It 
affords  an  exceeding  good  stand  on 
Braddock's  Road  from  Fort  Cumberland 
to  Pittsburgh  and  besides  a  fertile  soil 
possesses  a  large  quantity  of  natural 
meadow  fit  for  the  scythe. — It  is  distin- 
guished by  the  appellation  of  the  Great 
Meadows,  where  the  first  action  with  the 
French  in  the  year  1754  was  fought.* 
NEW  YORK — 

Mohawk  River  abt  1000       6        6.000  (p) 

(o)  This  is  the  moiety  of  about  2000  acres 
which  remains  unsold  of  6071  acres  on 
the  Mohawk  River,  (Montgomery  Ct'y) 
in  a  Patent  granted  to  Daniel  Coxe  in 
the  Township  tfCoxebourgh  &  Carolaca 
as  will  appear  by  deed  from  Marinus 
Willet  &  wife  to  George  Clinton  (late 
Governor  of  New  York)  and  myself ;  the 
latter  sales  have  been  at  six  dollars  an  , 
acre  and  what  remains  unsold  will  fetch 
that,  or  more.f 

*  Crawford,  on  6  December,  1770,  announced  to  Washington 
that  he  had  purchased  the  Great  Meadows  from  Mr.  Harrison 
for  thirty  pistoles. 

f  "I  am  sorry  we  have  been  disappointed  in  our  expectation 

NORTH 


132 

NORTH  WEST  TERRITORY — 
On  little  Miami  839 

Ditto  977 

Ditto  1235 

3051  5  15.2510) 
(/)  The  quality  of  these  lands  &  their 
situation  may  be  known  by  the  sur- 
veyor's certificates,  which  are  filed  along 
with  the  patents — They  lye  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Cincinnati,  one  tract  near  the 
mouth  of  the  little  Miami,  another  seven, 
&  the  third  ten  miles  up  the  same — I 
have  been  informed  that  they  will 
readily  command  more  than  they  are 
estimated  at. — 

KENTUCKY — 

Rough  Creek  3,ooo 

Ditto  adjoin'g  2,000 

5,000       2     10.000  (q) 
(q)  For  the  description  of  these  tracts  in 
detail,  see  General  Spotts wood's  letters 

of  the  mineral  spring  at  Saratoga;  and  of  the  purchase  of  that 
part  of  the  Oriskany  tract,  on  which  Fort  Schuyler  stands ;  but 
very  glad  you  have  succeeded  upon  such  advantageous  terms  in 
the  purchase  of  six  thousand  acres  adjoining ;  for  you  certainly 
have  obtained  it  amazingly  cheap."  Washington  to  Governor 
Clinton,  25  November,  1784. 

filed 


133 

filed  with  the  other  papers  relating  to 
them — Besides  the  general  good  quality 
of  the  land,  there  is  a  valuable  bank  of 
Iron  Ore  thereon ; — which  when  the  set- 
tlement becomes  more  populous  (and 
settlers  are  moving  that  way  very  fast) 
will  be  found  very  valuable,  as  the 
rough  creek,  a  branch  of  Green  River 
affords  ample  water  for  furnaces  and 
forges. 

LOTS. 

CITY  OF  WASHINGTON — 

Two  near  the  Capital  Sqr  634  1     15.000  M 

Cost  $963,  and  with  Buildgs.  ) 

No.  5,  12,  13,  &  14,  the  3  last  water  "1 

lots  on  the  Eastern  Branch  ,  -. 

in  Sqr.  667,  containing  together        j 

34,  438  Sqr.  feet  at  12  cts. 

(r)  The  two  lots  near  the  Capital  in 
Square  634,  cost  me  $963  only,  but  in 
this  price  I  was  favored  on  condition 
that  I  should  build  two  brick  houses, 
three  storys  high  each; — without  this 
reduction,  the  selling  price  of  those  lots 
would  have  cost  me  about  $1350. 

— These  lots  with  the  buildings  thereon 
when  completed  will  stand  me  in  $15,- 
ooo  at  least. 

w 


134 

(s)  Lots  No.  5,  12,  13  &  14  on  the  East- 
ern Branch  are  advantageously  situated 
on  the  water,  and  although  many  lots 
much  less  convenient,  have  sold  a  great 
deal  higher,  I  will  rate  these  at  12  cts 
the  square  foot  only.  * 
ALEXANDRIA — 

Corner  of  Pitt  and  Prince  Strts 
half  an  acre — laid  out  into  buildgs       , 
3  or  4  of  wch  are  let  on  grd  Rent  at     f 
$3  pr  foot 

(f)  For   this   lot,    though    unimproved    I 
have  refused   #3500,  it  has  since  been 

*  I  applied  to  Col.  O.  H.  Ernst,  at  present  in  charge  of  the 
public  buildings  and  grounds  in  Washington,  for  the  exact  lo- 
cality of  these  lots.  He  has  kindly  sent  me  the  following : 

"The  records  of  this  office  show  that  Washington  acquired 
title  to  the  whole  of  Square  21 ;  to  Lot  No.  16 — not  two  lots,  as 
you  have  it — in  Square  634  ;  to  Lots  5,  12,  13  and  14  in  Square 
667  ;  and  to  Lots  4,  5  and  6  in  square  east  of  Square  667. 

"The  boundaries  of  Square  21  are  D  and  E  Sts.  North,  and 
25th  and  26th  Sts.  West. 

"The  boundaries  of  Square  634  are  B  and  C  Sts.  North,  Capi- 
tol St.  and  New  Jersey  Ave. 

"The  boundaries  of  Square  667  are  U  and  V  Sts.  South,  First 
St.  West  and  Water  St. 

' '  The  boundaries  of  square  east  of  Square  667  are  U  and  V 
Sts.  South,  Water  St.  and  the  Eastern  Branch.  This  square 
was  under  water  at  the  time.  Lots  4,  5  and  6  were  opposite 
Lots  12,  13  and  14  in  the  adjoining  Square — 667 — and  were  of 
value  only  as  securing  beyond  peradventure  the  water  front  ap- 
pertaining to  the  lots  in  Square  667." 

laid 


135 

laid  off  into  proper  sized  lots  for  building 
on,  three  or  four  of  which  are  let  on 
ground  Rent  forever  at  three  dollars  a 
foot  on  the  street,  and  this  price  is  asked 
for  both  fronts  on  Pitt  and  Princess 
Streets.  * 

WINCHESTER — 

A  lot  in  the  Town,  of  half  an  ^ 

acre  &  another  on  the  Commons          >      400  («) 
of  about  6  acres — supposed  J 

(u)  As  neither  the  lot  in  the  Town  or 
common  have  any  improvements  on 
them  it  is  not  easy  to  fix  a  price,  but  as 
both  are  well  situated  it  is  presumed 
the  price  annexed  to  them  in  the  Sched- 
ule is  a  reasonable  valitf 

*  On  this  section  Mr.  Cassius  F.  Lee,  of  Alexandria,  writes 
me : — 

"The  half  square  of  ground  in  this  city  owned  by  Washing- 
ton was  on  the  corner  of  Prince  and  Pitt  streets.  It  is  covered 
with  dwellings,  and  is  in  the  best  part  of  the  town,  aud  a  square 
only  east  of  the  post  office,  which  is  on  Prince  street.  Prince 
street  is  the  correct  name.  Washington  also  owned  a  quarter 
square  on  Cameron  street,  and  on  this  lot  was  his  private  office, 
a  small  frame  building,  that  I  remember  well  when  a  very  small 
boy.  The  gentleman  owning  the  lot  lived  adjoining  it,  and 
wanting  it  for  his  garden,  tore  down  the  building  and  turned  the 
space  into  a  garden-ornamental. 

"The  next  time  you  come  down  here,  I  will  show  you  both 
places.  The  latter  is  only  two  squares  from  Christ  Church,  di- 
rectly east  of  the  church." 

BATH — 


136 

BATH — OR  WARM  SPRINGS — 
Two  well  situated  and  had  build-     \        «      /    >. 
ings  to  the  amount  of  ,^150.  / 

(w)  The  lots  in  Bath  (two  adjoining)  cost 
me  to  the  best  of  my  recollection,  be- 
tween fifty  and  sixty  pounds,  20  years 
ago  &  the  buildings  thereon,  ^150  more. 
— Whether  the  property  there  has  in- 
creased or  decreased  in  its  value,  and  in 
what  condition  the  houses  are,  I  am 
ignorant,  but  suppose  they  are  not 
valued  too  high.* 

*  "Having  obtained  a  plan  of  this  Town  (Bath),  and  ascer- 
tained the  situation  of  my  lots  therein,  which  I  examined ;  it 
appears  that  the  disposition  of  a  dwelling  house,  kitchen  and 
stable,  cannot  be  more  advantageously  placed  than  they  are 
marked  in  the  copy  in  the  copy  I  have  taken  from  the  plan  of 
the  Town,  to  which  I  refer  for  recollection  of  my  design  ;  and 
Mr.  Rumsey  being  willing  to  undertake  those  Buildings,  I  have 
agreed  with  him  to  have  them  finished  by  the  loth  of  next  July. 
The  dwelling  House  is  to  be  36  feet  by  24,  with  a  gallery  of  7 
feet  on  each  side  of  the  House,  the  whole  fronts.  Under  the 
House  is  to  be  a  cellar  half  the  size  of  it,  walled  with  stone,  and 
the  whole  underpin'd.  On  the  first  floor  are  to  be  three  rooms ; 
one  of  them  24  by  20  feet,  with  a  chimney  at  the  end  (middle 
thereof) — the  other  two  to  be  12  by  16  feet  with  corner  chim- 
neys— on  the  upper  Floor  there  are  to  be  two  rooms  of  equal 
sizes,  with  fire  places  ;  the  staircase  to  go  up  in  the  gallery — 
galleries  above  also.  The  kitchen  and  stable  are  to  be  of  the 
same  size — 18  by  22  ;  the  first  with  a  stone  chimney  and  good 
floor  above.  The  stable  is  to  be  sunk  in  the  ground,  so  as  that 
the  floor  above  it  on  the  north,  or  side  next  to  the  dwelling 

STOCKS. 


137 

STOCKS. 

UNITED  STATES  6  pr  ct.  3,746 

Do  deferred     1,873 

3  pr  ct.      2,946     2,500    6.246  (x) 

(x)  These  are  the  sums  which  are  actually 
funded,  and  though  no  more  in  the  ag- 
gregate than  $7566  stand  me  in  at  least 
ten  thousand  pounds  in  Virginia  money, 
being  the  amount  of  bonded  and  other 
debts  due  me,  and  discharged  during 
the  war,  when  money  had  depreciated 
in  that  ratio  Jfgp  and  was  so  settled  by 
public  authority.* 

House,  shall  be  level  with  the  Yard — to  have  a  partition  therein, 
the  west  part  of  which  to  be  for  a  carriage,  Harness,  and  sad- 
dles— the  east  for  Hay  or  Grain.  All  three  of  the  houses  to  be 
shingled  with  *  *  *.  Journal,  1784. 

*The  law  of  4  August,  1790,  providing  for  the  funding  of  the 
revolutionary  debt  called  for  a  loan  to  the  full  amount  of  the 
debt,  subscriptions  to  be  payable  in  the  certificates  or  notes  is- 
sued by  the  Continental  Congress  or  the  respective  States.  For 
two-thirds  of  the  subscriptions  a  certificate  was  to  issue  purport- 
ing that  the  United  States  owed  to  the  holder  a  sum  equal  to 
such  two-thirds  (when  paid  in  Continental  certificates)  and  to 
two-thirds  of  the  aforesaid  two-thirds  (when  paid  in  States  is- 
sues) bearing  6  per  cent,  interest  per  annum,  payable  quarterly, 
and  subject  to  redemption  by  payments  not  exceeding  8  per 
cent,  per  annum,  principal  and  interest.  These  certificates  were 
known  as  the  "six  per  cent,  stock  of  1790."  For  the  balance, 
stock  was  issued  not  to  bear  interest  until  after  1800,  when  the 

POTOMAC 


138 

POTOMAC  COMPANY — 

24  Shares  cost  ea  £100  SterVg  10.666  (y) 

(y)  The  value  annexed  to  these  shares  is 
what  they  have  actually  cost  me,  and  is 
the  price  affixed  by  law: — and  although 
the  present  selling  price  is  under  par, 
my  advice  to  the  Legatees  (for  whose 
benefit  they  are  intended,  especially 
those  who  can  afford  to  lye  out  of  the 
money)  is  that  each  should  take  and 
hold  one;  there  being  a  moral  certainty 
of  a  great  and  increasing  profit  arising 
from  them  in  the  course  of  a  few  years.* 

rate  of  six  per  cent,  would  be  paid.  This  was  the  ' '  deferred  6  per 
cent,  stock  of  1790."  One-third  of  the  amount  subscribed  and 
paid  in  indents  of  interest  issued  by  authority  of  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  or  in  certificates  or  notes  issued  by  the  several 
states,  should  bear  interest  at  three  per  cent.  This  was  the 
"three  per  cent,  stock  of  1790." 

*This  company  was  organized  in  December,  1784,  and  soon 
after  under  laws  of  Virginia  and  Maryland,  opened  its  subscrip- 
tion books  for  the  sale  of  its  500  shares.  Each  state  took  fifty 
shares,  and  private  capital  soon  took  up  the  balance.  Little 
was  done  towards  completing  the  canal,  and  the  time  allowed 
by  the  legislatures  was  extended  at  the  expiration  of  every  fixed 
period,  until  1820,  when  the  scheme  was  laid  aside.  The  tolls 
collected  in  1800  were  only  $2,138,  and  in  1811 — the  most  pros- 
perous year— were  $22,542.  At  a  later  period  the  charter  was 
surrendered  to  a  new  company,  and  has  never  proved  profitable. 
The  State  of  Maryland  virtually  owns  the  canal,  and  since  the 
great  flood  of  1889,  which  broke  down  the  banks  in  many  places, 
it  has  ceased  to  be  a  water  way. 

JAMES 


139 

JAMES  RIVER  COMPANY — 

5  Shares  each  cost  $100  $500  (z) 

(2)  It  is  supposed  that  the  shares  in  the 
James  River  Company  must  also  be 
productive — But  of  this  I  can  give  no 
decided  opinion  for  want  of  more  ac- 
curate information. 
BANK  OF  COLUMBIA — 

170  shares — $40  each  6.800^ 

BANK  OF  ALEXANDRIA — besides  1  V  (&) 

20  to  the  Free  School  5  /         i.oooJ 

(&}  These  are  nominal  prices  of  the 
Shares  of  the  Bank  of  Alexandria  & 
Columbia,  the  selling  prices  vary  ac- 
cording to  circumstances  but  as  the  stock 
usually  divided  from  eight  to  ten  per 
cent  per  annum,  they  must  be  worth  the 
former,  at  least,  so  long  as  the  Banks  are 
conceived  to  be  secure,  although  circum- 
stances may  some  time  [be]  below  it.* 
STOCK — living — viz.  — 

i  covering  horse,  5  Coh  horses — 4 "" 
Riding  do — Six  brood  mares — 20 
working  horses  &  mares, — 2  Cover- 
ing Jacks  &  3  young  ones — 10  she 
asses — 42  working  mules — 15  younger 
ones — 329  head  of  horned  cattle — 640 


*  The  Bank  of  Alexandria,  I  am  told,  failed  about  the  year 
1831. 

head 


140 

head  of  Sheep,  and  a  large  stock  of 
hogs,  the  precise  number  unknown — 
jg®^  My  manager  has  estimated  this 
live  stock  at  ^7,000  but  I  shall  set  it 
down  in  order  to  make  sd  sum  at — 

Aggregate  amt  :   '    $530.000 

The  value  of  live  stock  depends  more 
upon  the  quality  than  quantity  of  the 
different  species  of  it,  and  this  again 
upon  the  demand  and  judgment  or  fancy 
of  purchasers. 

Mount  Vernon, 

6  July,  1799.  G.  WASHINGTON. 

At  a  Court  held  for  the  County  of  Fairfax  the 
2Oth  day  of  January  1800,  this  last  Will  and  Tes- 
tament of  George  Washington,  deceased,  late  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  of  America,  was  pre- 
sented in  Court  by  George  Steptoe  Washington, 
Samuel  Washington,  &  Lawrence  Lewis,  three  of 
the  Executors  therein  named,  who  made  oath  there- 
to, and  the  same  being  proved  by  the  oaths  of 
Charles  Little,  Charles  Simms  and  Ludwell  Lee,  to 
be  in  the  true  handwriting  of  the  said  Testator,  as 
also  the  Scedule  thereto  annexed,  and  the  said  will, 
being  sealed  and  signed  by  him  on  motion,  Ordered 
to  be  Recorded — And  the  said  Executors  having 
given  Security  and  performed  what  the  Laws  re- 
quire, 


quire,  a  Certificate  is  granted  them  for  obtaining  a 
probate  thereof  in  due  form. 

TESTE  G.  DENEALE,  Cl:  Fx  : 

R.  L.  H.  fa:  Exdby* 

G.  DENE  ALE,  Cl:  Fx: 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  TO  DOCTOR  DAVID  STUART,  f 

MOUNT  VERNON,  15  January,  1788. 
Dear  Sir  : 

In  answer  to  your  enquiries  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Custis 
and  which  you  requested  I  would  commit  to  writing, 
you  will  please  to  receive  and  convey,  the  following 
information 


*" Recorded  I/iber  H,  folio  i,  and  examined."  George  Den- 
eale  became  clerk  2d  May,  1798. 

The  original  of  this  will  is  in  the  County  Court  House,  at 
Fairfax  Court  House,  Virginia,  in  charge  of  the  County  Clerk, 
Mr.  F.  W.  Richardson.  A  story  occasionally  appears  in  print- 
ing, that  the  MS.  is  in  the  secret  vaults  of  the  British  Museum, 
having  been  sold  to  that  institution  by  one  who  obtained  it  dur- 
ing or  after  the  civil  war.  The  fact  was,  fearing  lest  some  dam- 
age should  be  done  to  it,  in  July,  1861,  the  will  was  taken  to 
Richmond  by  the  then  County  Clerk,  Mr.  Alfred  Moss,  and  de- 
posited for  safe  keeping  with  the  then  Secretary  of  the  Com- 
monwealth, Mr.  George  W.  Mumford.  The  office  of  the  Sec- 
retary was  looted  by  the  Federal  troops,  but  by  some  happy 
chance  the  will  was  thrown  away,  and  was  later  found  in  a  heap 
of  rubbish.  It  was  restored  to  the  Fairfax  County  Court  House, 
where  it  may  be  seen  by  any  one  who  applies  to  the  courteous 
Mr.  Richardson. 

f  As  this  contains  the  fullest  account  of  these  Western  lands, 
I  insert  the  letter  entire. 

Namely. — 


I42 

Namely. —  That  the  lands  which  I  have  to  dispose 
of  beyond  the  Allegany  mountains,  are 
contained  in  the  following  tracts. 

2314 —  Acres  in  Bottetourt  County  on  the  Ohio, 
beginning  about  4  miles  below  the  mouth 
of  the  little  Kanhawa  and  bounded  by  the 
Ohio  1720  poles — being  the  first  large  bot- 
tom on  the  East  side  of  that  River,  below 
the  mouth  of  the  little  Kanhawa. 

2448 —  Acres  on  the  same  rout  and  on  the  said 
river  about  16  miles  below  the  above  tract, 
being  the  41.11  large  bottom  on  the  east  side, 
below  the  little  Kanhawa. — this  tract  is 
bounded  by  the  Ohio  1012  poles — has  a  fine 
Creek  running  through  it  which  (as  I  am 
informed)  [will  give]  Mill  seats. 

4395 —  Acres,  in  the  same  County  and  on  the 
Ohio,  also  about  3  miles  below  the  past 
mentioned  tract  and  on  the  same,  that  is 
the  East,  side,  &  above  the  great  Bend  which 
is  about  25  Miles  from  the  mouth  of  the 
Great  Kanhawa  bounded  by  the  River, 
1670  poles. 

In  all  9.157  Acres,  on  the  Ohio;  betw?  the  great 
and  little  Kanhawa. — 

10.990 —  Acres  on  the  Great  Kanhawa,  West  side 
of  it  in  Montgomery  County, — Beginning 
about  2  or  3  Miles  from  its  Conflux  with 
the  Ohio. — Bounded  by  the  former,  that  is 
the  Kanhawa,  5491  poles  or  17  Miles  and 


143 

5i  poles.     Having  many  valuable  streams 
passing  through  it. 

7276 —  Acres,  about  2  Miles  above  the  latter  on 
the  other  or  East  side  of  the  said  river  in 
Green  brier  County  and  bounded  thereby. 
3947  poles  or  12%  Miles. 

2000  Acres  about  6  Miles  above  the  last  men- 
tioned tract  on  the  west  side  of  River  lay- 
ing in  the  fork  of  the  Kanhawa  and  Coal 
River — binding  on  the  first  1400  and  on 
the  latter  588  poles. — * 

2950 —  Acres  on  the  east  side  of  the  Kanhawa 
in  Green  brier  County  part  whereof  is  oppo- 
site to  the  last  mentioned  tract. — this  is 
bounded  by  the  River,  1939  poles. — 

*  "  Your  having  mentioned  that  you  hold  land  at  the  Mouth 
of  Coal  River,  I  would  beg  leave  to  observe  that  I  have  one 
tract  of  2000  acres  in  the  point  of  fork  between  that  River  and 
the  Kanhawa  running  up  the  ist  about  2  Miles  (from  the  point) 
and  up  the  latter  more  than  4 — and  on  the  opposite  2  miles 
above  the  fork  another  of  my  tracts  for  3000  Acres  begins,  and 
runs  upwards  6  Miles  bordering  on  the  River  for  quantity.  As 
these  tracts  are  in  the  vicinity  of  yours  it  is  possible  you  may 
have  been  on  them  in  which  case  I  would  thank  you  for  your 
opinion  of  them  —From  the  mouth  of  Pohitelleca  on  the  East 
Side  the  River  for  13  miles  down  the  Kanhawa  I  hold  the  land 
— and  on  the  other  side,  from  within  2  or  3  miles  of  the  mouth 
I  have  a  tract  which  runs  near  20  Miles  along  the  River  equal 
to  any  and  I  have  ever  seen,  all  of  which  may  be  Seated  as 
hath  been  mentioned,  together  with  that  on  the  Ohio  above." 
Washington  to  Henry  Banks,  22  November,  1787. 

In 


144 

In  all  2321 6         Acres  on  the   Great   Kanhawa. — and 
9.157  on  the  Ohio — on  both  Rivers.— 

Total.32.373 


That  these  several  tracts,  some  from  my  own  obser- 
vation, and  all  from  good  information,  are  of  the  rich- 
est low  grounds;  being  the  first  choice  of  the  Country, 
by  a  competent  Judge,  and  are  well  watered  and  super- 
abounding  in  fine  meadow. 

That  the  whole  are  to  be  let,  on  the  Conditions  here- 
after mentioned. 

That  the  two  first  mentioned  on  the  Ohio — and  the 
two  last  named  on  the  Kanhawa  may  be  purchased — 
as  indeed  all  of  them  may  if  any  one  person  for  him- 
self, or  in  behalf  of  a  number,  will  strike  for  the  whole 
— without  this,  and  not  because  they  are  of  inferior 
quality,  but  because  what  remains  will  be  more  con- 
centered, I  incline  to  sell  those  that  are  farthest  apart 
first. 

That  if  I  sell  these,  I,  shall  expect  (considering  the 
quality  of  the  soil,  there  situations  on  navigable 
waters  ;  and  the  advantages  they  possess  on  account 
of  Fish  wild  fowl,  &•?  )  Twenty  Shillings  pT  Acre.— 
part  of  the  monies  to  be  paid  down,  and  such  credit  as 
can  be  agreed  upon  given  for  the  residue.  I  have  been 
in  treaty  with  some  foreigners  (thro'  there  agent  Mr. 
Charson)  who  have  large  tracts  of  land,  back  of  or  in 
the  vicinity  of  some  of  these  Lands  of  mine,  and  who 
know  them  perfectly  well,  for  the  whole  of  them  at  the 
price  of  30,000  guineas — but  as  they  are  not  yet  re- 
turned 


turned  from  Europe  and  the  time  is  elapsed  in  which 
they  were  to  have  given  me  a  definitive  answer,  I  do 
not  consider  myself  bound  any  longer  to  them,  tho'  it 
has  been  the  cause  (in  a  great  measure)  of  the  lands 
remaining  unsold. 

That  the  enclosed  Gazette  will  explain  my  ideas  of 
what  I  conceive  the  Rents  ought  to  be. — but  as  this,  it 
seems,  is  not  the  mode  which  is  practiced  by,  and  most 
agreeable  to,  the  people  in  that  Country  possible  from 
the  scarcity  of  money  or  want  hitherto  must  conform  to 
the  custome  of  it  and  of  established  markets. 

I  have  accordingly  within  the  course  of  the  last 
month  authorized  Col.  Thomas  Lewis  who  lives  (at 
Point  Pleasant,  a  town  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great 
Kanhawa  in  which  I  am  told  30  or  40  families  are 
settled  and  which  lies  in  the  center  between  my  several 
tracts,  to  let  them  on  the  following  terms  that  is  to 
say. — 

First.  With  an  exemption  from  the  payment  of  rent 
3  years,  provided  in  that  time  a  reasonable  quantity  of 
land  is  cleared  and  cultivated  ;  a  comfortable  House,  or 
houses  for  the  accommodation  of  a  family  is  built  and 
a  reasonable  number  of  frute  trees  planted. — And  pro- 
vided also  (if  it  be  customary)  that  the  Land  tax  of 
whatever  the  tenant  may  be  inclined  to  hold  is  paid  by 
them. 

Second.  That  after  the  expiration  of  the  third  year 
Rents  shall  commence  and,  as  the  custom  of  the  Coun- 
try, is  to  be  received  in  the  specific  articles  that  are 
raised  on  the  tenement,  and  in  the  proportion  of  one 
third,  by  my  Collector,  or  agent  being  near  the  premises. 

Third. 


146 

Third.  That  under  this  tenure  the  tenant  may  have 
a  certainty  of  holding  their  places  (if  they  incline  to 
remain  and  will  continue  to  improve  them)  for  a  cer- 
tain number  of  years  (but  not  for  lives)  which  may  be 
agreed  upon. 

Fourth.  That  all  mines  and  minerals,  with  free 
egress  and  regress,  shall  be  reserved. — and  an  extra- 
allowance  made  for  Mill  Seats,  or  a  reservation  of  them 
if  there  is  not. 

Altho'  in  the  hands  of  Industrious  tenants  and  a 
good  &  faithful  Collector,  Rents  paid  in  this  manner 
and  proportion  would  far  exceed  what  I  have  required 
in  my  printed  proposals,  yet  I  must  confess  that  it  is 
not  a  pleasing  thing  to  me  to  let  them  on  these  terms 
because  there  is  no  certainty  in  the  revenue  which  will 
arise  from  it.  Idle  tenants  will  pay  little — dishonest 
ones  will  cheat  me — and  an  indolent,  or  speculating 
Collector  will  make  poor  returns.  Otherwise  as  I  have 
already  observed  no  money  rents  that  can  be  fixed 
would  be  so  productive.  For  instance  suppose  a  farm 
of  i oo  Acres  (which  of  such  land  is  enough  for  any  man 
who  has  only  a  wife  and  their  children  to  assist  him) 
and  ten  only  of  these  for  the  land  is  most  easily  cleared, 
is  in  cultivation,  Corn  we  will  say,  at  the  expiration  of 
the  3d  year — this  it  is  agreed  on  all  hands,  will  yield 
60  to  100  Bushels  to  the  acre — but  call  it  50  only,  it 
makes  500  Bushels  the  yi  of  which  is  166  bushels — the 
demand  for  which  in  a  Country  whose  population  is 
encreasing  every  year  by  thousands  of  emegrants  will 
hardly  ever  let  this  article  be  under  a  Shilling;  but 
was  it  not  more  than  half  which  is  scarcely  within  the 

bounds 


bounds  of  possibility,  it  would  amount  to  ^4.  3  P. 
Hundred  Acres. 

If  Mr.  Custis,  or  his  neighbours  of  whom  you  made 
mention  to  me  has  any  inclination  buy  or  rent  any  of 
my  Lands  here  described.  It  would  not  be  improper 
to  suggest  to  them  that  the  sooner  something  is  re- 
solved on  the  better :  for  as  well  formerly  as  lately,  it 
has  been  told  me,  that  I  may  soon  fill  my  lands,  with 
tenants  agreeably  to  the  terms  on  which  Col?  Lewis 
has  been  empower' d  to  grant  them ;  and  on  which  if 
nothing  more  pleasing  to  both  parties  can  be  agreed, 
MT  Custis's  neighbours  may  have  them. 

Should  these  circumstances,  &  conditions  on  which 
I  have  offered  to  sell  part  or  Rent  the  whole  of  these 
lands  induce  M^  Custis  to  take  a  trip  by  water,  or 
land,  to  this  place,  I  will  shew  him  the  plats  of  several 
tracts,  the  manner  in  which  the  land  lays,  give  him  a 
more  ample  description  of  the  advantages  which  at- 
tends it,  and  if  any  terms  can  be  agreed  upon  between 
us  will  endeavor  in  time  to  prevent  the  seating  of 
them  by  Col?  Lewis,  by  whose  agreements  I  must  be 
bound,  if  he  makes  any,  as  I  have  given  him  full 
powers  to  let  the  Land.— 

I  am,  &c — 

G9  WASHINGTON. 


WILL 


BUSHROD  WASHINGTON, 

NEPHEW  OF 
TGEORGE  WASHINGTON. 


In  the  name  of  God  amen.  I  Bushrod  Wash- 
ington, of  Mount  Vernon,  do  make  this  my  last 
will  and  testament  hereby  revoking  all  former  wills 
by  me  made. 

Imprimis.  I  give  to  my  dear  and  most  excellent 
wife,*  and  her  heirs  the  following  negroes,  viz. 
Ann  Luisa,  &  the  children  she  now  has,  or  may 
hereafter  have,  Sam,  Jessy,  Clark  and  Silvia  his 
wife  and  Lucy  their  daughter,  with  all  the  future 
increase  of  the  females,  and  also  Jenny  who  I  pur- 
chased from  Mr.  Turner. 

Second.  I  give  to  my  said  wife  during  her  life,  the 
whole  of  my  Mt.  Vernon  land,  except  such  parts 
thereof  as  will  be  hereafter  given  in  trust  for  my 
nephew,  Bushrod  Washington,  and  also  all  the  rest 
of  my  negroes  of  which  I  may  die  possessed  or  en- 
titled to. 

Third.  I  give  to  my  said  wife  during  her  life  the 
interest  which  may  accrue  after  my  death  upon  the 
debts  now  due  or  which  may  hereafter  become  due 
to  me,  as  well  as  the  dividends  &  interest  which 
may  accrue  and  to  be  declared  upon  my  bank  and 
road  stock,  upon  my  share  in  the  Dismal  Swamp 

*Ann,  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Blackburn,  of  Rippon  Lodge, 
Prince  William  county.  She  survived  her  husband  but  a  few 
days,  and  died  without  issue. 

(151)  Land 


152 

Land  Company,  and  all  other  stocks  to  which  I 
may  be  entitled  at  the  time  of  my  death.  I  also 
give  to  her  during  her  life  the  whole  of  my  house- 
hold and  kitchen  furniture,  liquors  so  much  thereof 
as  she  may  require  for  the  use  of  her  Family, 
riding  carriages,  horses,  mules,  cattle,  sheep,  hogs, 
plantation  utensils,  waggons,  &  carts  on  hand  & 
provisions  laid  in  for  the  use  of  my  family  at  the 
time  of  my  death,  or  fattening  at  that  time  for 
such  use.  The  use  only  of  the  above  articles  is 
intended  to  be  given  to  my  said  wife  during  her  life. 

Fourth.  It  is  my  will  that  as  soon  &  as  fast  as 
the  debts  to  me  are  collected,  their  amount,  in- 
cluding whatever  I  may  be  entitled  to  receive  from 
the  estate  of  my  deceased  uncle  General  George 
Washington,  in  my  own  right  or  as  an  assignee  of 
Major  Geo.  Lewis,  &  on  account  of  my  commis- 
sions as  Executor,  and  all  rents  due  to  me  at  the 
time  of  my  death  may  be  invested  by  my  Executors 
in  publick  or  other  safe  stocks,  the  interest  whereof 
may  accrue  during  the  life  of  my  wife  I  give  to  her. 

Fifth.  I  give  to  my  said  wife  all  the  furniture  of 
her  chamber,  also  the  organ  and  pianos,  books  of 
music  and  her  Library  of  books  kept  by  herself 
separate  from  mine,  her  Jewels  and  paraphernalia 
of  every  kind.  And  whereas  there  are  certain 
prints  hanging  in  some  of  the  rooms  which  I  have 
given  and  now  confirm  to  my  said  wife,  but  which 
I  cannot  now  describe,  it  is  iny  will  that  she  shall 

have 


153 

have  such  of  them  as  she  may  by  some  writing 
under  her  hand,  attested  by  one  witness  at  least, 
and  delivered  during  her  life  to  one  of  my  Execu- 
tors, distinctly  point  and  describe.  Unless  my  wife 
should  dispose  of  the  organ  by  will  or  by  some 
other  act  during  her  life,  I  give  the  same  to  the 
person  to  whom  I  shall  hereafter  devise  the  man- 
sion house,  as  it  would  hardly  suit  any  other  room 
than  that  in  which  it  now  stands. 

Sixth.  After  the  death  of  my  said  wife,  I  give  to 
my  nephew  John  A.  Washington  and  to  his  heirs 
all  that  part  of  my  Mount  Vernon  Land  included 
within  the  following  boundaries,  to  wit: 

Beginning  at  the  Gum  Spring  on  or  near  the  line 
between  Mr.  Peake  &  myself  and  running  thence 
the  straight  road  along  where  the  post  and  rail 
fence,  ran  to  the  gate  leading  into  the  house,  & 
pursuing  the  road  passing  the  said  Gate  leading  to 
the  old  Ferry  house  occupied  lately  by  James 
Dorsey  till  it  comes  to  the  corner  of  the  fence  on 
the  road  leading  to  the  union  farm  barn,  &  thence 
along  the  fence  and  road  leading  to  said  barn  to  the 
first  wattle  fence  made  by  Ja:  Dorsey,  (at  which 
point  it  is  my  intention  to  put  down  a  post)  and 
then  along  said  wattle  fence,  rectangular  or  nearly 
so,  to  the  last  line  to  the  creek,  and  so  with  the 
meanders  of  said  creek,  the  river  and  hunting 
creek,  including  the  fisheries  and  marshes  to  the 
beginning.  I  also  give  to  my  said  nephew  John, 

after 


after  the  death  of  my  said  wife,  all  the  green  house 
and  hot  house  plants  and  tools  or  instruments  be- 
longing to  the  gardens,  &  also  give  to  my  said 
nephew  after  the  death  of  my  said  wife  all  the 
furniture  belonging,  and  which  at  the  time  of  my 
death  may  belong  to,  and  be  in  the  mansion  house, 
kitchen,  &  other  houses  (not  before  given  to  my 
wife,)  in  which  bequest  to  avoid  disputes,  I  mean 
to  include  not  only  the  standing  furniture,  but 
also  the  silver  and  plated  ware,  cut  and  other  glass, 
pictures,  prints,  Table  &  bed  furniture,  &  in  short 
every  thing  used  and  generally  considered  as  furni- 
ture. All  the  Liquors  of  every  kind  remaining  in 
the  house  at  the  deatji  of  my  wife  unused  by  her, 
I  give  to  be  equally  divided  between  my  nephews, 
Bushrod  Washington,  of  Mt.  Zephire, *  Geo.  C. 
Washington, f  John  A.  Washington,!  and  Bushrod 
C.  Washington.§ 

*  Son  of  William  Augustine  Washington  and  Jane,  his  cousin, 
a  daughter  of  John  Augustine  Washington.  Bushrod  was  born 
4  April,  1785,  and  was  settled  at  Mt.  Zephyr,  Virginia.  Married 
Henrietta,  daughter  of  General  Alexander  Spotswocd,  and  died 
in  1830. 

t  Also  a  son  of  William  Augustine  Washington,  born  20 
August,  1789,  married  in  1807  Eliza  Ridgeley  Beall,  and  died 
in  Georgetown,  17  July,  1854. 

|  Son  of  Corbiu  Washington  and  Hannah  Lee,  daughter  of 
Richard  Henry  Lee.  He  married  Jane  Charlotte  Blackburn. 

\  Also  sou  of  Corbin  Washington.  He  removed  to  Claymont, 
Jefferson  County,  [West]  Virginia,  and  died  there  in  1851.  He 
married  (i)  Anna  Maria  Blackburn,  and  (2)  Maria  Powell  Har- 
rison. 

Seventh. 


155 

Seventh.  After  the  death  of  my  wife  I  give  to  my 
dear  niece  Mary  Lee  Herbert,*  &  her  heirs,  all  that 
part  of  my  Mount  Vernon  Tract  of  Land,  begin- 
ning at  the  Knowl  opposite  to  the  old  road,  which 
formerly  passed  through  the  lower  field  of  Muddy 
hole  farm,  at  which,  on  the  north  side  of  said  road, 
are  or  were  three  red  or  Spanish  oaks,  marked  as  a 
corner,  (which  spot  is  mentioned  in  the  Will  of 
General  Washington,)  thence  rectangular  by  a  line 
of  trees  to  the  back  line  or  outer  boundary  of  the 
tract  between  General  Thomson  Mason,  (now  in 
possession  of  his  son,)  and  myself,  thence  with  that 
line  Easterly  along  the  double  ditch  to  the  run  of 
Little  Hunting  creek,  thence  with  that  run  to  the 
gum  spring,  thence  along  the  most  northerly  of  the 
two  roads  being  that  leading  to  Major  Lewis'  mill, 
to  the  beginning. 

Eighth.  I  give  to  my  nephew  George  C.  Wash- 
ington, and  his  heirs,  on  my  death,  all  the  land 
from  the  Gum  Spring  aforesaid  lying  between  the 
road  leading  to  Mt.  Vernon  until  it  comes  to  the 
lower  end  or  corner  of  the  field  (N?  3)  in  the  plot 
made  by  Gen'l  Washington,  amongst  my  Mount 
Vernon  Land  papers, f  by  James  Nugent's  quarter, 
that  was,  &  the  road  leading  from  the  said  Gum 

*  Mary   Lee  Washington,   daughter  of  Corbin  Washington, 
married  Noblet  Herbert  in  1819. 

f  This  survey  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Dr.  Thomas  Addis 
Emmet,  of  New  York. 

spring 


156 

spring  to  Major  Lewis'  mill  'till  it  comes  to  the  in- 
ner and  upper  corner  of  my  new  ground  216  acre 
field,  &  thence  with  the  inner  fence  of  the  said  new 
ground  field  dividing  the  same  from  the  Mt. 
Zephyr  land,  to  the  lower  end  or  corner  of  the  said 
inner  fence  near  the  spring,  thence  easterly  along 
the  lower  fence  of  Bushrod  Washington  Jr's  new 
ground,  as  it  now  runs  and  crosses  the  swamp  'till 
it  comes  to  the  edge  of  the  woods  on  the  easterly 
side  of  the  swamp  to  an  old  road,  &  thence  with 
said  old  road  &  along  the  edge  of  the  woods  to  the 
lower  fence  of  the  said  Bushrod  Washington  Jr's 
meadow,  below  his  house,  and  thence  easterly  fol- 
lowing the  fence  as  it  now  runs  to  the  road  at 
James  Nugent's  where  there  is  a  gate,  which  said 
lines  enclose  the  whole  of  the  cleared  land  now  in 
possession  of  the  said  Bushrod  Washington,  Jr. 
Also  a  small  part  of  the  swamp  'on  the  east  side  of 
the  ditch  to  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  also  a  small 
angle  of  wood  land  lying  between  the  aforesaid  two 
roads  in  which  stood  the  school  house.  I  also  give 
to  the  said  Geo.  C.  Washington  in  fee  one  half  of 
the  aforesaid  new  ground  field,  being  that  half 
which  lies  to  the  northward  of  the  red  line  rim  from 
the  corner  of  the  fence  before  mentioned,  near  the 
spring  before  mentioned,  called  A  in  S™  Summer's 
plot  &  survey  of  the  said  new  ground  field  to  B, 
which  half  in  the  said  plot  is  marked  N?  2,  as  by 
reference  to  said  plat  and  survey,  dated  July,  1813, 

amongst 


J57 

amongst  the  Mount  Vernon  Land  papers  will  more 
fully  appear.  I  also  give  to  the  said  Geo.  C. 
Washington  &  his  heirs,  one  equal  half  part  of  the 
wood  land  adjoining  the  afs?  clear  land  to  be  laid 
off  by  a  line  running  from  the  road  leading  from 
the  Gum  spring  to  the  porter's  lodges,  north  west- 
erly to  the  old  road  by  the  swamp  &  edge  of  the 
woods  before  mentioned  in  this  clause,  the  said 
division  to  be  according  to  the  quantity.  The 
other  half  of  the  wood  land  here  intended,  extend- 
ing to  the  road  leading  from  the  porter's  lodge  to 
the  union  farm  gate,  being  contiguous  to  that  part 
of  the  Estate,  will  be  disposed  of  by  a  future  clause 
of  this  will  to  the  person  to  whom  that  part  of  the 
land  will  be  devised.  If  any  disagreements  should 
arise  respecting  the  lines  of  division  mentioned  in 
this  Will,  it  is  my  desire  that  the  parties  concerned 
should  submit  the  same  to  arbitration,  and  I  de- 
clare that  all  the  lands  mentioned  in  this  clause  and 
devised  to  the  said  Geo.  C.  Washington,  are  given 
in  trust  to  permit  my  nephew  Bushrod  Washing- 
ton, Jr.  his  Brother,  to  receive  the  rents,  issues  and 
profits  there  of  during  his  life,  and  after  his  death 
then  in  trust  for  the  children  of  the  said  Bushrod 
Washington,  living  at  his  death  &  their  heirs, 
equally  to  be  divided. 

Ninth.  All  the  rest  and  residue  of  my  Mt.  Ver- 
non estate  not  before  disposed  of,  I  give,  after  the 
death  of  my  wife  to  be  equally  divided  between  my 

nephews 


158 

nephews   George   C.    Washington  &    Bushrod    C. 
Washington  and  their  heirs. 

Tenth.  I  give  my  Ohio  tract  of  land  immediately 
on  my  death  as  follows,  one  equal  fifth  part  to  my 
nephew  Geo.  C.  Washington,  and  his  heirs,  one 
other  fifth  part  to  my  niece  Mary  L.  Herbert  and 
her  heirs,  one  other  fifth  part  to  the  said  Geo.  [C.] 
Washington,  and  his  heirs  to  the  same  uses  and 
under  the  same  limitations  as  are  mentioned  in  the 
8th  clause  aforesaid,  in  respect  to  the  part  of  the 
Mt.  Vernon  Land  devised  to  him  in  trust,  and  the 
other  two  fifths  I  give  to  my  nephews  Jno.  A. 
Washington  &  Bushrod  C.  Washington  and  their 
heirs  equally  to  be  divided  :  Should  the  said  Geo. 
C.  Washington,  think  it  most  to  the  advantage  of 
the  said  Bushrod  Washington,  Jr.  to  sell  the  part 
of  the  Ohio  land  hereby  devised  to  him,  in  trust, 
he  may  do  the  same  at  public  or  private  sale,  on 
such  terms  as  he  may  think  best,  the  proceeds  to 
be  invested  in  some  productive  fund  &  the  interest 
or  dividends  to  be  paid  to  the  said  Bushrod  Wash- 
ington Jr.  during  his  life,  and  after  his  death  to  be 
equally  divided  between  the  children  of  the  said 
Bushrod  Washington  Jr.  who  shall  be  living  at 
his  death,  their  heir  and  assigns. 

Eleventh.  I  desire  that  all  my  law  books  in 
Philadelphia  and  a  few  others  left  with  Mr.  Berk- 
ham  in  Trenton  may  be  removed  to  Mt.  Vernon, 
and  together  with  those  now  there  may  remain  in 

the 


159 

the  study  under  the  care  of  Jno.  A.  Washington, 
until  Bushrod  Washington  Herbert,  son  of  my 
niece  aforesaid,  arrives  to  the  age  of  21,  &  in  case 
he  should  be  educated  &  prepared  to  practice  law 
I  give  all  the  said  books  to  him  ;  But  if,  at  the 
above  period  he  should  not  be  destined  to  the  bar, 
or  in  case  of  his  death  before  the  said  age,  I  de- 
sire the  said  books  may  be  sold  and  the  proceeds 
to  sink  into  the  residuum  of  my  Estate.  Whea- 
ton's  Reports  belong  to  the  United  States  and  are 
to  be  delivered  to  the  person  authorized  to  receive 
them. 

Twelfth.  After  the  death  of  my  wife,  I  give  all 
the  rest  and  residue  of  my  Estate  real  and  personal 
in  possession  or  expectancy  and  not  by  this  will 
otherwise  disposed  of  as  follows  :  viz  :  one  fifth  part 
to  my  nephew  Geo.  C.  Washington  &  his  heirs, 
one  other  fifth  part  to  John  A.  Washington,  my 
nephew  and  his  heirs,  one  other  fifth  part  to  his 
brother  Bushrod  C.  Washington  and  his  heirs, 
another  fifth  part  to  my  niece  Mary  L.  Herbert, 
&  her  heirs,  &  the  remaining  fifth  part  to  the 
said  Geo.  C.  Washington  &  his  heirs  in  trust 
for  the  same  uses  &  under  the  same  limitations 
as  are  mentioned  in  the  eighth  clause  of  this  will 
in  respect  to  the  part  of  the  Mt.  Vernon  land 
devised  to  him  in  trust  for  Bushrod  Washington, 
Jr.  &  his  children.  It  is  further  my  will  that 
my  nephew  John  A.  Washington  may  be  at  lib- 
erty 


i6o 

erty  after  my  wife's  death  to  take  the  Gardner 
Phil  at  his  appraised  value  to  be  paid  my  Ex- 
ecutors. 

Thirteenth:  All  the  papers  and  letter  books  de- 
vised to  me  by  my  uncle  Gen'l  Washington,  as 
well  as  the  books  in  my  study,  other  than  law 
books,  I  give  to  my  nephew  Geo.  C.  Washington; 
the  books  in  the  cases  in  the  dining  room,  I  give 
to  my  nephew  John  A.  Washington. 

Fourteenth:  The  sword  left  to  me  by  Genl. 
Washington,  I  give  to  the  aforesaid  Geo.  C.  Wash- 
ington under  the  same  injunctions  that  it  was  be- 
stowed to  me.  My  gold  watch  I  give  to  my  friend 
Robert  Adams,  of  Philadelphia,  knowing  that  he 
will  appreciate  the  gift  not  for  the  intrinsic  value 
of  the  article  but  because  it  was  worn  by  the  father 
of  his  country  and  afterwards  by  his  friend:  After 
the  death  of  the  said  Robt.  Adams,  I  give  the  said 
watch  to  his  sou  Bushrod.  I  give  Cooke's  Edition 
of  Hogarth  with  the  key,  to  my  nephew  John,  and 
Alexander's  victories  to  my  nephew  Bush:  C. 
Washington.  *  I  also  give  to  my  said  nephew  John, 
the  two  Globes  &  the  busts  of  Gen'l  Washingtonf 

*  In  the  New  York  Exhibition  1889,  were  shown  by  Bushrod 
C.  Washington  some  old  line  engravings  by  P.  Ganst,  from  the 
original  painting  by  Le  Bruii,  victories  of  Alexander  the  Great. 
"The  pictures  are  supposed  to  have  been  given  to  General 
Washington  by  Lafayette  "  Catalogue. 

f  By  Houdon. 

&  Neckar. 


&  Neckar.  *  The  bust  of  Paul  Jones  I  give  to  Mr. 
Mumford  for  his  museum.  My  double  barrel  gun 
I  give  to  my  nephew  Bushrod  Washington  Jr.  and 
the  pistols  which  belonged  to  &  were  used  by  Gen'l 
Washington,  to  Geo.  C.  Washington.  Watts' 
views  I  give  to  my  highly  valued  friend  Mr.  Justice 
Story. 

Fifteenth.  The  debts  due  me  from  the  Estates  of 
my  deceased  friends  Major  Richard  Blackburn  & 
Thomas  Blackburn,  I  hereby  forgive  and  release. 

Sixteenth.  I  give  to  West  Ford  the  tract  of  land 
on  Hunting  creek  adjoining  Mr.  Geo.  Mason  and 
that  occupied  by  Dr.  Peake,  which  I  purchased 
from  Noblet  Herbert  deceased,  which  was  conveyed 
to  him  by  Francis  Adams,  to  him  the  said  West 
Ford,  &  his  heirs.  Whatever  appears  by  my  Led- 
ger to  be  due  to  said  West  Ford  is  to  be  paid  to 
him,  &  it  is  my  request  that  he  will  continue  in 
his  present  situation  and  employment  during  the 

*  This  bust  was  sold  at  auction  in  Philadelphia,  April  1891. 
On  the  pedestal  were  two  brass  plates,  on  the  lower  of  which 
was  engraved 

PRESENTED  TO 
GEORGE  WASHINGTON 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA 
BY  HIS  MOST  DUTIFUL,  MOST  OBEDIENT,  AND  MOST  HUMBLE 

servant,  ESTAING,  A  CITIZEN  OF  THE  STATE  OF 
GEORGIA,  BY  AN  ACT  OF  THE  22ND  FEBRUARY,  1785, 

AND  A  CITIZEN  OF  FRANCE  IN  1786. 

life 


162 

life  of  my  wife  provided  she  wishes  him  to  do  so 
on  the  terms  he  is  now  living  with  me.* 

Seventeenth.  Whereas,  as  Trustee  for  the  credi- 
tors of  my  nephew  Bushrod  Washington  Jr.,  I  have 
made  advances  greatly  beyond  the  value  of  the 
property  conveyed  to  me,  besides  being  a  consid- 
erable creditor  of  my  said  nephew,  &  entitled  to 
come  in  as  such  under  the  deed  of  trust,  &  whereas 
the  unsold  trust  property,  that  is  to  say  the  follow- 
ing negroes,  Nat,  Sue,  Isaac,  Joshua,  Tetia  &  her 
7  children,  James,  William,  Nancy,  John,  Henry, 
Betsy,  &  Judy.  Also  Eliza,  and  her  two  children 
Warren  &  Geo.  Also  Nanny,  who  have  this  day 
been  valued  by  Lawrence  Lewis  and  Saml.  Collard 
at  the  price  of  $2205,  fall  very  short  of  the  amount 
due  to  me  from  the  said  trust  estate  and  for  which 
the  said  property  is  answerable,  I  do  hereby  give 
the  said  negroes  and  the  future  increase  of  the 
females  to  my  aforesaid  nephew  Geo.  C.  Washing- 
ton &  his  heirs  upon  the  trusts  and  under  the 
same  limitations  as  are  mentioned  in  the  8th  clause 
of  this  will  in  respect  to  the  part  of  the  Mt.  Vernon 
land  devised  to  him  in  trust.  I  also  give  and  re- 
lease to  my  said  nephew  Bushrod  Washington,  Jr., 
all  and  every  sum  and  sums  of  money  due  by  him 
to  me,  and  which  yet  remain  unsatisfied. 

Lastly.    I  nominate  and  appoint  my    nephews 

*West  Ford  was  a  mulatto  house  servant.     His  portrait  is 
given  by  Lossing  in  his  Home  of  Washington. 

John 


1 63 

John  A.  Washington  &  Bushrod  C.  Washington 
my  Executors,  who  are  to  give  no  security  for  the 
discharge  of  their  duties.  In  witness  whereof,  I 
have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  affixed  my  seal, 
having  written  the  whole  of  this  will  with  my  own 
hand,  this  loth  day  July  1826. 

BUSH:  WASHINGTON,  [SEAL.] 

Memorandum.  All  the  erasures  &  interlineations 
in  this  will  have  been  made  with  my  own  hand. 

B.  W. 

This  is  a  codicil  to  my  will  written  and  dated 
this  loth  day  of  July,  1826. 

Whereas  Chief  Justice  Marshall  &  myself  con- 
template publishing  some  volumes  of  letters  from 
Genl.  Washington  all  or  the  most  of  which  are 
already  copied  &  also  publishing  a  second  edition 
of  the  life  of  Washington,  it  is  my  will  that  what- 
ever sum  of  money  may  accrue  from  these  sources 
be  invested  by  my  executor  in  some  productive 
fund,  the  interest  or  dividends  whereof  are  to  be 
paid  to  my  wife  during  her  life  and  after  her  death 
to  be  divided  and  to  vest  in  the  persons  to  whom 
the  residue  of  my  Estate  is  given  to  and  for  the 
same  uses  and  under  the  same  limitations. 

Item.  I  give  to  our  niece  Jane  C.  Washington, 
wife  of  my  nephew  John  A.  Washington,  &  to  her 
heirs  a  negro  boy  called  Lewis,  son  of  Ozman  & 

Aggy. 

Item. 


164 

Item.  And  whereas  it  may  so  happen  that  my 
wife  may  die  without  making  any  disposition  of 
the  property,  I  have  devised  to  her  in  fee  simple,  I 
give  to  her  niece  Jane  C.  Washington,  in  that 
event,  and  that  only  the  organ  and  piano  forte, 
together  with  all  the  musick,  also  all  the  books  in 
the  chamber  book  cases  and  chamber  closet,  also 
the  chamber  furniture  and  the  prints  mentioned  in 
my  will.  All  the  rest  of  the  property  so  devised  to 
my  wife,  I  give,  in  the  said  event,  to  be  equally 
divided  between  such  of  the  nieces  of  my  said  wife 
as  may  be  living  at  the  time  of  her  death.  The 
property  which  I  have  purchased  from  the  Execu- 
tors of  Nob:  Herbert  dec?  ;  and  from  the  Adminis- 
trators of  Richard  H.  L.  Washington,  dec?,  & 
which  I  have  conveyed  to  my  niece,  Mary  L.  Her- 
bert, for  whom  I  bought  the  whole,  and  have  given 
her  possession,  I  hereby  confirm  and  ratify. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  here  unto  set  my 
hand  and  affixed  my  seal  this  loth  day  of  July, 
1826,  the  whole  of  this  codicil  being  written  with 
my  own  hand  &  all  erasures  &  interlineations  in 
the  will  and  codicil  being  made  by  myself  before 
they  were  signed  and  sealed. 

BUSH:  WASHINGTON.  [SEAL.] 

This  is  a  second  codicil  to  my  will.  Imprimis, 
my  beloved  niece  Mary  L.  Herbert  having  died 
since  the  making  of  my  former  will,  I  here  by  give 

and 


165 

and  bequeath  all  the  property  real  and  personal  in 
possession  or  expectancy  devised  to  her  to  be 
equally  divided  between  her  two  sons  Bushrod  W. 
Herbert  and  Noblet  Herbert  and  their  heirs,  &  in 
the  case  of  the  death  of  either  with  out  child  or 
children,  his  part  to  go  to  the  survivor,  &  in  case 
of  the  death  of  both  without  child  or  children,  the 
whole  then  remaining  I  give  to  be  divided 
amongst  my  four  nephews  &  their  heirs,  the  part 
of  my  nephew  Bushrod  under  the  same  trust  and 
to  the  same  trustee  as  are  mentioned  in  the  8th 
Clause  of  my  will:  all  the  personal  property  except 
negroes,  now  in  possession  of  my  said  nephew 
Bushrod  Washington  on  hire  I  give  to  him.  Item. 
If  Bushrod  W.  Herbert  should  not  practice  law,  I 
give  my  law  library  to  such  of  the  sons  of  my 
nephew  John  A.  Washington  as  may  practice  it, 
&  if  more  than  one  should,  then  to  the  eldest,  and 
if  neither  should,  then  the  same  is  to  be  sold  and 
the  proceeds  disposed  of  as  directed  by  the  eleventh 
clause  of  my  will.  Item.  Having  subscribed  for 
50  shares,  in  the  Chesapeake  &  Ohio  Canal  which 
I  trust  may  be  paid  for  without  a  sale  of  other 
property,  I  hereby  appropriate  for  that  purpose, 
whatever  ready  money  I  may  have  in  any  bank  or 
banks  at  my  death,  &  whatever  salary  may  be  due 
to  me  at  that  time,  &  I  further  empower  my  Ex- 
ecutor to  apply  to  the  same  purpose  so  much  of 
the  income  of  my  Estate,  or  monies  he  may  col- 
lect, 


i66 

lect,  as  may  remain  after  amply  supplying  the 
wants  of  my  dear  wife,  to  whom  I  hereby  give  dur- 
ing her  life  the  dividends  which  may  arise  on  said 
canal  stock.  But  if  these  funds  should  be  insuf- 
ficient to  comply  with  the  calls  of  the  company, 
my  said  Executors  may  sell  as  much  of  my  bank 
stock  as  may  be  sufficient.  In  witness  whereof  I 
have  hereunto  set  my  hand  &  affix  my  seal  the  igth 
day  of  January  1828,  the  whole  of  this  codicil  being 
written  with  my  own  hand  &  all  erasures  and  in- 
terlineations being  made  by  myself  before  signing 
and  sealing  this  codicil. 

BUSH:  WASHINGTON  [SEAL.] 

This  is  a  third  codicil  to  my  will. 

Whereas  the  line  between  Major  Lewis  &  my- 
self from  the  three  red  or  Spanish  oaks  marked  as 
a  corner  and  a  stone  placed,  thence  by  a  line  of 
trees  to  be  marked  rectangular  to  the  back  line  or 
outer  boundary  of  the  tract  between  Thomson 
Mason  &  Genl.  Washington,  as  described  in  the 
clause  of  Genl.  Washington's  will,  which  de- 
vises a  part  of  the  Mount  Vernon  estate  to  me,  has 
never  been  run  by  the  major  and  myself,  and  there 
subsists  a  difficulty  of  opinion  between  us  to  the 
construction  of  the  said  will  in  relation  to  that  line 
which  my  frequent  and  long  absences  from  home 
have  hitherto  prevented  us  from  adjusting,  it  is  my 
will  that  my  nephews,  the  Executors  and  Trustees 

of 


i67 

of  my  deceased  niece  Mary  L.  Herbert,  (in  case  it 
should  not  be  in  my  power  to  settle  this  matter 
with  Major  Lewis,  during  my  life,)  do  as  soon  as 
possible  settle  and  adjust  with  him  this  controverted 
line  &  in  order  that  it  may  be  done  in  the  most 
amicable  manner,  I  do  hereby  empower  my  said 
nephews  John  A.  and  Bush  rod  C.  Washington,  or 
either  of  them,  or  the  survivor  of  them,  to  submit 
any  disputed  point  relative  to  that  subject  to  arbi- 
tration hereby  declaring  any  award  or  awards  to  be 
made  in  the  premises  to  be  final  and  binding  on  the 
persons  who  may  be  entitled  to  that  part  of  the  land 
devised  by  the  preceding  codicil  to  the  sons  of  my 
niece  Mary  L.  Herbert  in  like  manner  as  it  would 
were  the  submission  made  by  me  during  my  life. 

Item.  I  give  the  interest  which  after  my  death 
may  become  due  on  Geo.  Atkinson's  bond  until 
George  W.  Washington,  son  of  Bushrod  Washing- 
ton, of  Mt.  Zephyr,  shall  arrive  at  the  age  of  18 
(and  which  my  Executor  is  to  collect  as  it  becomes 
due),  to  be  divided  as  follows:  viz.:  one  third  to 
Ann  Eliza,  one  third  to  Jane  Mildred,  daughters 
of  the  said  Bushrod  Washington,  Jr.  of  Mt.  Zephyr, 
&  the  other  third  to  the  before  mentioned  Geo.  W. 
son  of  the  said  Bushrod  Washington  Jr.,  towards 
his  education  &  fitting  him  for  the  navy,  &  after 
he  has  arrived  at  the  age  of  18,  then  I  give  the 
whole  of  the  said  debt  principal  &  interest,  with  all 
the  securities  for  the  same  to  be  equally  divided 

between 


i68 

between  the  said  Ann  Eliza  and  Jane  Mildred 
Washington,  &  their  assigns.  The  above  bequest 
is  intended  to  be  made  to  my  Executors  in  strict 
trust  for  the  uses  above  mentioned  &  the  principal 
to  be  paid  to  my  nieces  on  their  respective  mar- 
riages and  not  before. 

Item.  It  is  my  wish  that  my  Executor  may  add 
to  the  above  bequest  to  the  said  Geo.  W.  as  much 
out  of  the  income  of  my  Estate  as  will  complete 
his  Education  till  his  arrival  at  the  age  aforesaid, 
if  in  his  Judgment  the  same  can  be  spared  after 
paying  up  my  subscription  to  the  Chesapeake  & 
Ohio  canal  company,  &  any  other  debts,  and  pro- 
viding for  the  comfortable  and  abundant  support  of 
my  dear  wife.  All  benefit  under  this  clause  in 
favor  of  the  said  Geo.  W.  to  cease  after  he  arrives 
at  the  af5^  age,  except  a  moderate  outfit  which  is  to 
be  given  him  in  case  he  should  be  received  as  a 
midshipman  in  our  navy.  In  witness  whereof  I 
have  hereunto  set  my  hand  &  affixed  my  seal  this 
igth  day  of  July,  1828,  the  whole  of  this  codicil 
being  written  with  my  own  hand,  &  all  erasures 
&  interlineations  being  made  by  myself  before 
signing  &  sealing  the  same. 

BUSH :  WASHINGTON. 

At  a  Court  held  for  Fairfax  county,  the  2ist.  day 
of  December,  1829. 

This   last   will   &  testament  of  the  Honorable 

Bushrod 


169 

Bushrod  Washington,  of  Mt.  Vernon,  deceased, 
together  with  three  Codicils  thereto  annexed,  was 
presented  in  Court  by  Jno.  A.  Washington,  one  of 
the  Executors  therein  named,  &  the  same  being 
proved  to  be  wholly  in  the  handwriting  of  the  said 
Bushrod  Washington  by  the  oaths  of  Geo.  Mason, 
Geo.  Millan,  Dennis  Johnson,  &  Wm.  Moss,  is  ad- 
mitted to  record.  And  the  said  John  A.  Washing- 
ton having  in  open  court  executed  bond  in  the 
penalty  of  $100,000  conditioned  as  the  law  directs, 
&  taken  the  oath  prescribed  by  law,  a  certificate  is 
granted  him  for  obtaining  a  probate  thereof  in  due 
form. 

Teste 

WM.  Moss,  C.  C. 
A  true  copy. 
Teste: 

F.  W.  RICHARDSON, 
Deputy  Clerk. 

2i  November,  1878. 


WILL 


OF 


JOHN  AUGUSTINE  WASHINGTON. 


In  the  name  of  God  amen.  I  John  A.  Washing- 
ton, of  Jefferson  county,  in  the  State  of  Virginia, 
being  in  perfect  health  of  body  &  of  sound  and  dis- 
posing mind,  memory  and  understanding,  consider- 
ing the  certainty  of  death  &  the  uncertainty  of  the 
time  thereof  &  being  desirous  to  settle  my  worldly 
affairs,  &  therefore  be  the  better  prepared  to  leave 
this  world,  when  it  shall  please  God  to  call  me 
hence,  do  therefore  make  this  my  last  will  and  tes- 
tament, in  manner  and  form  following,  that  is  to 
say.  First.  It  is  my  will  &  desire  that  all  my  just 
debts  and  funeral  charges  be  paid  &  discharged  as 
soon  as  possible,  by  my  Executrix  here  in  after 
mentioned. 

Secondly.  I  give  &  bequeath  unto  my  most  dear 
wife  &  friend  Jane  C.  Washington,*  all  my  negroes 
and  other  real  &  personal  Estate  of  every  kind  and 
description  whatsoever,  that  I  now  have  or  may 
here  after  have  any  right  to  dispose  of  by  will  or 
otherwise  in  possession,  to  hold  during  her  widow- 
hood. 

Thirdly.  I  do  hereby  fully  empower  my  dear 
wife  Jane  C.  Washington,  to  divide  my  said  Estate 
among  my  children  in  any  way  she  may  think 
proper. 

*  Daughter  of  Richard  Scott  Blackburn. 

( 173 )  Fourthly. 


174 

Fourthly.  As  it  frequently  happens  that  negroes 
become  extremely  disobedient  to  their  mistress 
after  the  death  of  their  masters,  I  do  hereby  give 
my  said  dear  wife  full  power  &  authority  should 
any  act  so  unfaithfully  to  her  orders,  to  sell  and 
dispose  of  any  of  them  so  offending  in  her  opinion, 
&  vest  the  money  arising  there  from,  in  other  ne- 
groes, property  or  public  stock,  which  at  the  death 
of  my  dear  wife  Jane  C.  Washington  is  to  be  di- 
vided between  my  children  as  she  may  direct. 

Fifthly.  It  is  my  will  &  desire  that  my  Execu- 
trix shall  not  be  compelled  to  give  security  upon 
qualifying  to  my  will,  and  that  she  may  not  be  put 
to  the  trouble  of  having  the  Estate  appraised. 
Also  I  do  hereby  appoint  her  sole  Guardian  to  all 
my  children,  without  giving  security  for  the  same. 

Lastly.  I  do  hereby  constitute  &  appoint  my 
most  dear  &  affectionate  wife  Jane  C.  Washington 
my  sole  Executrix  to  this  my  last  will  &  testa- 
ment, revoking  &  annulling  all  former  wills  by 
me  heretofore  made  ratifying  and  confirming  this 
and  none  other  to  be  my  last  will  &  testament. 
In  testimony  where  of  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  affixed  my  seal,  in  my  own  handwriting,  this 
6th.  day  of  August  1822.  The  erasures  in  lines  7 
&  8,  on  page  second,  I  did  myself  before  I  set  my 
hand  and  affixed  my  seal. 

JOHN  A.  WASHINGTON.  [SEAL.] 

Codicil — Whereas  I,  John  A.  Washington,  in  the 

County 


175 

County  of  Jefferson,  &  State  of  Virginia,  have 
made  &  duly  executed  my  last  will  and  testament 
in  writing,  bearing  date  as  above,  which  said  last 
will  &  testament,  &  every  clause,  bequest  and  de- 
vise therein  contained,  I  do  hereby  ratify  and  con- 
firm &  being  desirous  to  alter  some  parts  thereof, 
provided  my  dear  wife  Jane  C.  Washington  should 
die  without  making  her  last  will  devising  my  estate 
as  she  may  think  proper  between  my  children,  in 
that  case  only  do  I  therefore  hereby  make  this  my 
codicil,  which  I  will  &  direct  shall  be  taken  &  held 
as  my  will  &  testament  in  manner  as  following  : 
that  is  to  say,  I  hereby  give  &  devise  all  my  ne- 
groes &  other  personal  &  real  Estate  of  every  kind 
&  description  whatsoever  that  I  now  have  or  may 
hereafter  have  any  right  to  dispose  of  by  will  or 
otherwise,  in  possession,  reversion  or  remainder,  to 
my  sons  and  to  their  heirs  forever  in  equal  propor- 
tions to  be  allotted  to  each  of  them  as  soon  as  they 
arrive  at  the  age  of  21  years,  except  what  I  shall 
hereafter  devise.  I  do  hereby  declare  that  should 
either  of  my  sons  die  without  lawful  issue  the 
property  so  descending  shall  go  to  the  surviving 
brother  or  brothers.  Item.  I  give  &  bequeath  to 
my  dear  daughter  Anne  Maria  Washington  ten 
thousand  dollars  current  money  of  the  United 
States  to  bear  interest  from  the  death  of  my  wife 
Jane  C.  Washington,  to  be  raised  in  the  most  con- 
venient manner  to  the  Estate,  as  speedily  as  pos- 
sible 


I76 

sible  after  her  decease  ;  a  negro  man  and  woman, 
not  to  exceed  25  years  of  age,  also  a  good  riding 
horse,  saddle  &  bridle,  to  be  paid  to  her  when  she 
arrives  at  the  age  of  21  years  or  marries.  In  testi- 
mony where  of  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  & 
affixed  my  seal,  in  my  own  handwriting,  this  loth 
day  of  September,  1822,  the  erasure  in  lines  7  &  8 
on  page  second  I  did  myself  before  I  set  my  hand 
&  affixed  my  seal. 

JOHN  A.  WASHINGTON.  [SEAL.] 

Codicil  2d.  Whereas  my  late  uncle  Bushrod 
Washington  did  by  will  give  to  me  the  Mount 
Vernon  house  and  a  certain  parcel  of  land  attached 
thereto,  I  do  hereby  authorize  my  Executrix  or  Ad- 
ministrator should  they  deem  it  advisable  for  my 
children's  interest  to  sell  to  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  only  if  they  should  be  disposed  to 
purchase  Mount  Vernon  &  as  much  of  the  land  as 
they  may  want,  the  proceeds  to  be  laid  out  in  pub- 
lic stock  for  the  benefit  of  my  children.  If  the 
Congress  of  the  United  States  will  take  Mt.  Vernon 
&  part  of  the  land,  my  Executrix  or  Administrator 
may  sell  the  balance  to  any  person  or  persons,  also 
all  undivided  property  received  from  the  said 
Bushrod  Washington  &  the  amount  laid  out  in 
public  stock  for  the  benefit  of  my  children.  In 
testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  & 
affixed  my  seal,  in  my  own  hand  writing  this 

Eighth 


177 

Eighth  day  of  July  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  eight  hundred  &  thirty.* 

JOHN  A.  WASHINGTON.  [SEAL.] 

STATE  OF  VIRGINIA  \ 

COUNTY  OF  JEFFERSON    / 

In  the  county  court,  July  term,  1832. 

At  a  court  held  for  the  said  county  on  the  i6th 
day  of  July,  1832.  The  last  will  and  testament  of 
John  A.  Washington  dec.  is  this  day  proved  in 
open  court  by  the  oaths  of  Bushrod  C.  Washington 
and  Edmund  I.  Lee,  Jun? ,  to  be  altogether  in  the 
handwriting  of  the  said  testator,  &  ordered  to  be 
recorded,  &  on  the  same  day  on  motion  of  Mrs. 
Jane  C.  Washington,  the  executrix  named  in  the 
said  will,  who  made  oath  according  to  law,  &  en- 
tered into  and  acknowledged  a  bond  without  se- 
curity, in  the  penalty  of  $50,000  with  condition 
according  to  law,  the  said  testator  having  directed 
that  no  security  should  be  required  of  her,  certifi- 

*  In  1847  John  A.  Washington  offered  to  sell  Mount  Vernon 
to  the  United  States  government  for  $100,000,  under  certain 
conditions,  one  of  which  was  that  in  the  event  of  a  dissolution 
of  the  existing  federal  government,  the  property  should  revert 
to  the  Washington  heirs.  The  offer  was  not  accepted,  and  in 
1855,  under  the  lead  of  Mrs.  Ann  Pamelia  Cunningham,  the 
Mount  Vernon  Ladies'  Association  was  formed  to  purchase  the 
house  and  two  hundred  acres  of  the  estate.  Its  efforts  to  raise 
the  sum  needed,  $200,000,  were  successful,  and  since  that  time 
the  property  has  been  under  their  care,  much  improved,  and 
many  scattered  relics  brought  together. 

cate 


I78 

cate  is  granted  her  for  obtaining  letters  testamen- 
tary in  due  form. 

Tester 
SAMUEL  J.  CRANE,  Clerk. 

And  afterwards,  to  wit :  At  a  Court  held  for  the 
said  County  on  the  i6th  day  of  July  1849.  It  aP~ 
pearing  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Court,  that  in 
making  the  entry  of  the  proof  of  the  last  will  & 
testament  of  John  A.  Washington,  deceased,  at 
July  Term,  1832,  of  this  Court,  it  was  proved  that 
both  will  &  codicils  were  in  the  hand  writing 
of  the  Testator,  &  that  the  record  inadvertently 
mentions  that  the  will  had  been  proved  omitting 
the  codicils,  on  motion  leave  is  given  to  examine 
the  same  witnesses  again,  which  being  done  &  it 
being  proved  by  the  said  witnesses  Bushrod  C. 
Washington  &  Edmund  I.  Lee,  that  the  said  will 
&  codicils  are  all  in  the  hand  writing  of  the  said 
John  A.  Washington,  the  said  testator,  the  same  is 
ordered  to  be  entered  on  record,  which  is  accord- 
ingly hereby  done. 

Teste: 

T.  A.  MOORE,  Clerk. 

And  at  a  Court  held  for  the  said  county  on  the 
I2th  day  of  Octo.  1857.  On  motion  of  Richard  B. 
Washington*  who  made  oath  according  to  law  & 

*  Youngest  sou  of  John  Augustine  Washington.  The  other 
children  were  George,  Ann  Maria,  John  Augustine  and  a 
daughter,  who  died  young. 

with 


179 

with  Robt.  W.  Baylor  his  security,  entered  into  and 
acknowledged  a  Bond  in  the  penalty  of  $5,000  with 
condition  according  to  law,  certificate  is  granted 
him  for  obtaining  letters  of  administration  de  bonis 
non,  with  the  will  annexed  of  John  A.  Washing- 
ton, deceased,  in  due  form  (the  Executrix  who 
heretofore  qualified  having  departed  this  life).  * 

Teste: 

T.  A.  MOORE,  Clerk. 
True  copy. 
Teste : 

T.  A.  MOORE,  Clerk. 

*  Died  at  Blakeley,  Jefferson  county,  in  August,  1856. 


WILL 


OF 


JOHN    CUSTIS. 


IN  THE  NAME  OF  GOD  AMEN  I  John 
Custis  EsqT  of  Northampton  County  in  Virginia 
being  at  present  in  perfect  Health  and  sound  in 
memory,  thanks  be  to  the  Almighty,  but  consider- 
ing the  State  of  Mankind,  how  soon  they  are  taken 
out  of  this  life,  and  being  willing  to  settle  those 
Worldly  Goods,  God  of  his  infinite  mercy  and 
goodness  far  beyond  my  deserts,  he  hath  bestowed 
upon  me  do  make,  ordain,  and  appoint  this  my  last 
Will  and  Testament,  revoking  all  former  Wills  and 
Deeds  of  Gift  whatever. 

IMPRIMIS  I  give  my  Soul  to  God,  that  gave 
it  me,  my  Body  I  give  to  the  Earth  from  whence  it 
came,  to  have  a  decent  Burial  at  the  discretion  of 
my  executors  hereafter  named,  no  ways  doubting 
through  the  Mercy  and  merits  of  my  dear  Saviour 
Christ  Jesus  to  have  a  joyful  resurrection. 

ITEM  My  Will  and  desire  is,  that  my  dear 
and  loving  Wife  Sarah  Custis  live  during  pleasure 
at  my  now  dwelling  House,  and  Plantation  at 
Hungars  not  to  be  disturbed  by  any  pretence  what- 
ever while  she  liveth,  but  if  it  please  God  she  mar- 
ries, her  Husband  immediately  enter  into  Bond 
with  Security  to  keep  all  the  Housing,  fencing, 
and  Plantation  in  good  repair,  and  in  Case  of  fail- 
ure my  son  Hancock  Custis,  or  his  heirs  enter  into 

(183)  the 


1 84 

the  said  Houses  and  Plantation  the  Bond  to  be 
made  to  Hancock  Custis,  or  his  heirs,  in  the  sum 
of  five  hundred  pounds  sterling. 

ITEM  My  will  and  desire  is,  that  my  dear  Wife 
Sarah  Custis  have  besides  what  I  shall  hereafter 
give  her  the  feather  Bed  and  Furniture  we  usely 
lye  on,  one  pair  of  good  Sheets,  one  pair  of  Blank- 
ets, her  choice  of  all  my  riding  Horses  with  her 
riding  furniture  with  her  choice  of  any  copper  ket- 
tle she  please. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  dear 
Wife  all  the  Negroes  &  Slaves  of  what  sort  soever, 
that  I  had  with  her,  I  likewise  give  her  my  Mulat- 
toe  Woman  Chocolate  with  all  her  increase  that  she 
now  hath  or  shall  have,  my  Negro  men  named 
Peter,  and  Trout,  and  my  Girl  Dennis  to  her,  and 
her  heirs  forever. 

ITEM  I  lend  to  my  said  Wife  during  her  Wid- 
owhood, my  Negro  man  called  Michael,  my  Indian 
Woman  called  Sarah,  and  my  Mulattoe  Girl  called 
Emmanuel.  But  in  case  of  my  said  Wife's  Death 
or  marriage,  then  the  said  Slaves  to  return  to  those 
that  I  shall  hereafter  give  them  to,  in  this  Will,  and 
my  Negro  man  Bristol  during  her  Widowhood,  this 
with  my  hand. 

ITEM  my  Will  and  desire  is,  that  what  goods, 
Household  Stuff,  Cattle  and  Sheep,  I  have  hereafter 
given  to  my  Children,  the  like  proportionable  part 
shall  be  set  apart  for  my  now  Wife,  before  the  rest 

of 


185 

of  my  Estate  be  divided,  the  particulars  of  which, 
I  shall  hereafter  insert. 

ITEM  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  son  John  Cus- 
tis  my  Chiconessex  Plantation  with  all  the  Stock 
that  shall  be  found  thereon  of  what  nature  soever 
to  him  and  his  heirs  forever.  I  likewise  give  to  my 
said  son  Arlington  House  together  with  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty  acres  of  Land  thereto  belonging 
which  I  bought  of  Mr.  William  Willett,  and  have 
Patent  for  it,  in  my  own  name  with  the  Appurten- 
ances thereto  belonging  to  him  and  his  heirs  for- 
ever. 

ITEM  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  son  all 
my  Stock  of  Male  cattle,  that  he  found  upon 
Smiths  Insland  and  Mackean  Island  after  my  de- 
cease. I  say  Male  Cattle  with  my  own  hand. 

ITEM  I  likewise  give  and  bequeath  unto  my 
said  son  one  large  Silver  Dish,  six  large  Silver 
Plates,  one  large  Silver  Bason,  two  Silver  Candle- 
sticks, with  a  Silver  Snuff  Dish,  and  two  Silver 
Snuffers,  one  good  feather  Bed,  and  furniture,  and 
the  second  choice  of  my  riding  Horses,  my  best 
Saddle  and  furniture,  and  his  choice  of  my  Cases 
of  Pistols,  and  Holsters,  and  my  best  sword  to  him 
and  his  heirs  forever. 

ITEM  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son  Han- 
cock Custis  after  my  dear  Wife's  decease  or  re- 
linqtiishment,  my  now  dwelling  House  &  Planta- 
tion containing  fifteen  hundred  Acres  of  Land  with 

all 


1 86 

all  the  Appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  during 
his  natural  life  together  with  that  Tract  of  Land, 
I  bought  of  Captain  Isaac  Foxcraft  containing  by 
estimation  three  hundred  and  forty  Acres  of  Land 
(be  the  same,  more  or  less)  commonly  called  and 
known  by  the  Davis,  with  that  land  I  bought  of 
Pierce  Davis,  which  makes  upon  that  quantity, 
and  after  his  decease,  to  the  heir  of  his  Body  law- 
fully begotten  (That  is  to  say)  it  is  my  true  intent 
and  meaning,  that  my  said  son  hath  power  to 
divide  the  said  Land  between  two  of  his  issue  male, 
How  and  what  quantity  he  shall  think  fit,  and  they 
to  enjoy  it,  and  their  heirs  forever.  But  if  it  should 
happen  that  my  said  son  should  dye,  without  heir 
male,  then  I  give  it  to  his  heirs  female,  and  their 
Heirs  forever,  but  for  want  of  such  heir  to  my  heir 
at  common  Law  forever. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  son 
Hancock  Custis,  and  his  heirs  forever,  my  Planta- 
tion in  Accomack  County,  containing  by  estima- 
tion two  thousand  acres  of  Land,  together  with 
three  hundred  Acres  of  Swamp  low  Land  lying 
near  the  Land,  I  sold  to  William  Bradwater,  which 
I  have  reserved  for  timber  for  the  supply  of  the 
two  thousand  Acres  of  Land  which  I  Give  to  my 
said  son,  and  his  heirs  forever.  But  it  is  my  Will 
and  desire  that  my  now  wife  Sarah  Custis  have  free 
liberty  of  range  for  twenty  Steers  during  her  nat- 
ural life.  All  the  rest  of  my  Land  lying  at  Po- 

comock 


18? 

cotnock  that  I  shall  not  be  disposed  of,  in  my  life- 
time, I  Give  and  bequeath  to  my  son  John  Custis, 
and  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son  Han- 
cock Custis  besides  what  already  I  have  given  him, 
these  following  Negros  &  Slaves  (viz.)  Simon, 
Dum,  Harry,  Bristol,  Michael,  and  Emmanuel  al- 
ways excepted,  that  my  Wife  have  the  use  of  the 
said  Michael  and  Emmanuel  as  before  excepted  in 
my  will: — and  Bristol. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son  Henry 
Custis  five  hundred  &  fifty  acres  of  Land  on  Jingo- 
teague  Island  which  I  had  of  Captain  William 
Kendall*  together  with  an  Island  adjoining  thereto 
by  a  Bridge  commonly  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  Wild  Cat  Island  by  estimation  two  hund- 
red and  fifty  acres  of  Land  with  all  Marshes  and 
other  advantages  thereto  belonging  to  him  the  said 
Henry  Custis,  and  his  heir  and  assigns  forever: 
Always  Provided,  and  it  is  my  will  and  desire  that 
my  now  Wife  have  liberty  of  range  for  twenty 
steers  upon  the  said  Island  during  her  natural  life, 
with  free  liberty  of  bringing  of  and  carrying  on  at 
her  pleasure. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said  son 

*  In  Palmer's  Calendar  of  State  Papers  is  printed  a  reply  of 
the  Onondagos  to  the  propositions  of  Col.  William  Kendall, 
"Agent  for  ye  Country  of  Virginia,"  1679. 

Henry 


1 88 

Henry  Custis  these  following  Negros  and  Slaves 
(viz)  Daniel  at  Pocomock,  Ben,  Bull,  Jack,  Ruiby, 
the  boy  Will,  Bridget,  and  Lankaster  to  him  the 
said  Henr'y  Custis  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  two  daugh- 
ters Elizabeth  Custis  and  Sorrowful  Margaret  Ken- 
dall five  hundred  Acres  of  Land  which  I  bought 
of  Henry  Towles  lying  and  being  on  Jingoteague 
Island  in  Accomack  county,  together  with  an 
Island  that  I  bought  of  Joh.  Morris  in  the  said 
county  containing  by  estimation  three  hundred 
acres  of  Land,  and  Marsh,  to  be  held  in  common 
between  the  two  Sisters  during  their  natural  lives, 
and  after  their  decease  to  any  two  children  of  their 
Bodies  lawfully  begotten.  And  if  it  should  happen 
that  either  of  my  two  daughters  should  d)^e  with- 
out issue,  then  her  part  to  be  and  remain  to  the 
issue  living  of  either  of  their  Bodies,  and  their 
Heirs  forever,  and  in  case  of  failure  of  any  such 
Heir,  then  I  Give  and  bequeath  the  said  Land  to 
my  son  Henry  Custis  his  heir  and  Assigns  forever, 
the  true  intent  and  meaning  of  this  my  Will  is,  if 
the  issue  of  either  or  both  my  said  Daughters  enter 
upon  the  Premises  at  full  age,  then  they  or  either 
of  them  enjoy  the  said  Land,  and  their  heir  forever, 
my  meaning  is  that  my  daughters,  or  their  now 
Husbands  give  the  Land  above  given  to  which 
child  they  please  of  my  daughters  body  begotten. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  said 

daughter 


1 89 

daughter  Elizabeth  Custis  these  following  Negro 
Slaves  (to  wit)  George,  Sunto,  Daniel,  her  Son, 
Lucretia,  her  daughter  Yamnone,  Indian  Sarah, 
and  her  son  Jemme,  and  Notse  (?)  to  her  during  her 
natural  life,  and  for  the  life  of  her  Husband 
Thomas  Custis,  and  after  their  decease  them  and 
their  increase  I  Give  to  any  Child  or  Children  ol 
their  Body  lawfully  begotten,  but  for  want  of  any 
such  Issue,  then  to  Thomas  Custis  her  husband, 
and  his  heirs  forever.  Always  provided  that  my 
now  Wife  hath  the  use  of  the  Indian  Woman  Sarah 
during  her  Widowhood. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  daughter 
Sorrowful  Margaret  Kendall  these  following  Negros 
or  Slaves  Nicholas,  Jenny  his  wife,  Abigail,  Moriah, 
John  a  boy,  all  Children  of  the  said  Jenny;  Indian 
Betty,  Lettitia,  Festus,  with  all  their  increase,  that 
they  ever  shall  have,  my  Negro  man  named  Cesar 
to  her  my  said  daughter  during  her  natural  life, 
and  for  the  life  of  her  Husband  William  Kendall, 
and  after  their  decease  to  be  to  the  issue  of  the 
said  Sorrowful  Margaret  Kendall  of  her  body  law- 
fully begotten,  to  one  or  more,  as  she  shall  think 
fit,  and  for  want  of  such  Issue,  then  to  the  said 
William  Kendall,  and  his  heirs  forever. 

ITEM  I  Give  to  my  boy  John  Atkinson  a  Horse, 
four  Cows,  and  Calf,  four  Ewes,  and  Lambs,  one 
feather  Bed,  bolster,  one  pair  of  Sheets,  two 
Blankets,  and  one  Rug,  and  if  it  should  happen 

that 


that  I  should  dye  having  either  Sloop  or  Sloops, 
the  John  Atkinson  to  take  his  choice  of  them,  with 
their  Apparel,  all  which  I  Give  to  the  said  John 
Atkinson  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  but  my  will 
is  that  the  said  John  Adkinson  live  with  my  now 
Wife  until  he  is  at  the  age  of  one  and  twenty,  un- 
less my  now  wife  cause  to  the  contrary,  in  whose 
hands  I  leave  every  particular  given  to  be  deliv- 
ered at  the  aforesaid  age  or  sooner,  if  she  think  fit. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  Sarah  Custis 
Matthews  two  Cows  and  two  Ewes. 

ITEM,  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  Yardly  Michael 
the  remaining  part  of  that  Tract  of  Land,  I  bought 
of  Joseph  Benthall,  SenT  ,  him  and  his  heirs  for- 
ever. Always  provided  that  lives*  upon  my  Plan- 
tation at  Hungars  have  liberty  to  get  Timber 
thereon  for  the  use  of  this  Plantation,  I  now  live 
on. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  daughter 
Elizabeth  Custis  my  negro  man  Toney  besides  what 
I  have  here  already  given  her,  to  her  and  her  heirs 
forever.  Upon  mature  and  deliberate  consideration 
relating  to  all  the  Negros  and  Slaves  given  to  my 
aforesaid  two  daughters  Elizabeth  Custis,  and  Sor- 
rowful Margaret  Kendall,  and  the  more  fuller  to 
explain  my  meaning  and  will,  I  do  make  void  the 
word  give,  and  I  do  lend  the  said  Negros  and  Slaves 

*  Whoever  omitted ;  or  perhaps  my  wife  while  she  lives,  as 
mentioned  in  an  earlier  part  of  this  will. 

during 


during  the  lives  of  my  said  two  daughters,  and 
their  husbands,  and  in  Case  it  should  happen  that 
either  of  my  said  two  daughters  dye  Childless,  they 
shall  have  liberty  to  dispose  of  the  said  Negros  and 
Slaves  to  any  of  their  relations  as  they  shall  think 
most  fit. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  son  John 
Custis,  my  quarter  part  of  the  Brigenteen  the 
Northampton,  built  by  John  Bowdoin,  and  to  his 
Assigns  forever,  and  I  likewise  give  to  my  said  son 
John  Custis,  my  bigest  Silver  Tankard,  and  like- 
wise my  father's  picture  now  standing  in  my  Hall. 

ITEM  I  Give  to  my  Wife  Sarah  Custis,  my  next 
largest  Silver  Tankard. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  Elias  Taylor 
of  Accomack  County  five  hundred  acres  of  Land 
lying  and  being  at  Acaconson  in  the  said  County 
to  him  and  his  heirs  forever.  Always  provided, 
and  it  is  my  true  intent  and  meaning  that  the  said 
Taylor  pay  to  my  executors  hereafter  named,  the 
sum  of  seventy  pounds  Sterling  by  good  acceptable 
Bills  of  exchange,  and  fifteen  thousand  pounds  of 
good  Tobacco  and  cask  according  to  a  Verbal 
agreement  made  between  us  which  if  he  refuseth 
then  I  do  impower  my  executors  hereafte  rnamed 
to  make  Sale  of  the  said  Land  for  the  best  advan- 
tage they  can. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  Henry  Toles 
[or  Joles]  of  Accomack  County  and  to  his  heirs 

and 


192 

and  assigns  forever  five  hundred  Acres  of  Land 
lying  and  being  at  Pocomock  near  Hyleys  Neck 
according  to  an  Agreement  made  between  us,  and 
likewise  ten  thousand  Nails,  Always  provided  that 
he  makes  over  all  his  right,  title  and  Interest  of 
five  hundred  Acres  of  Land  which  he  lives  on:  on 
Jincoteague  Island,  and  acknowledge  the  same  in 
Accoinack  County  Court  to  those  persons  that  I 
[have]  given  it  to  by  Will,  and  in  the  same  nature. 

ITEM  my  Will  is  that  before  my  Estate  is  divided, 
these  goods  hereafter  excepted,  or  the  worth  of 
them,  be  set  apart  for  the  use  of  my  now  Wife,  it 
being  to  make  her  part  even  of  what  I  have  given 
before  to  my  Children,  three  feather  Beds,  Bolsters, 
&  Pillows,  three  Rugs,  three  Blankets,  to  sutes  of 
Curtains  and  Vallens,  ten  pair  of  Sheets,  eight  pair 
of  pillowbeers,  eight  Towels,  five  dozen  of  Nap- 
kins, six  Table  Cloths,  ten  pewter  dishes,  two 
Basons,  three  dozen  of  Plates,  one  chamber  Pot, 
two  Candlesticks,  one  chafing  dish,  two  Iron  Pots, 
one  skillet,  one  pair  of  brass  and  Irons,  one  pair  of 
fire  Tongs,  and  shovel,  one  Iron  Spitt,  one  smooth- 
ing Iron  and  Heaters,  one  dozen  of  silver  Spoons, 
one  Silver  Porringer,  one  large  Trunk,  covered 
with  Russia  Leather,  one  Sealskin  small  Trunk 
marked  J.  S.  C.,  one  Chest  that  she  keeps  her 
Clothes  in. 

ITEM  I  Give  and  Bequeath  unto  my  said  Wife 
all  her  wearing  Apparel  both  Linen  and  Woolen 

of 


193 

of  what  nature  soever  they  be,  and  Silks,  with  all 
her  Rings,  Jewells,  and  a  Gold  chain,  or  locket. 

ITEM  I  likewise  give  to  my  said  Wife  Sarah 
Ctistis  twenty  four  head  of  cattle  and  twenty  two 
Sheep. 

ITEM  my  Will  and  desire  is,  that  before  my  Es- 
tate is  divided,  that  all  my  just  Debts  and  Legacies 
be  paid;  and  that  is  my  desire  that  my  executors 
make  no  delay  to  pay  them;  all  the  rest  of  my  Es- 
tate I  Give  and  bequeath  unto  my  loving  wife  Sarah 
Custis,  Hancock  Custis,  Henry  Custis,  Elizabeth 
Custis,  Sorrowful  Margaret  Kendall,  to  be  equally 
divided  amongst  them,  whether  they  be  goods, 
Chattels,  Creatures,  Moneys  or  Debts,  and  upon 
Division  if  my  Wife  have  a  mind  of  any  particular 
thing,  to  have  her  first  choice.  I  desire  my  Good 
friends  Captain  William  Harmanson,  George  Har- 
manson,  and  Mr.  Hilary  Stringer,  to  be  aiding  and 
assisting  my  wife  and  Children  to  divide  my  said 
Estate.  I  do  nominate  and  appoint  my  loving  wife 
Sarah  Custis,  my  son  Hancock  Custis,  my  son 
Henry  Custis,  to  be  my  executors  of  this  my  last 
will  &  Testament  &  I  do  make  void  all  former  Wills 
by  me  made  and  Deeds  of  Gifts  whatsoever. 

ITEM  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  William  Har- 
manson, Mr.  George  Harmanson,  and  Mr.  Hilary 
Stringer  each  of  them  a  Gold  Ring  of  the  value  of  fif- 
teen shillings  apiece  to  be  sent  for  by  my  executors. 

I  give  to  my  sister  in  law  Elishe  Frank  two  cows 

and 


194 

and  cafs  and  as  much  Stuff  as  will  [make]  her 
Gown  and  Petticoat  as  much  new  good  Linen  as 
will  make  her  three  Shifts. 

ITEM  I  give  all  my  wearing  apparel  to  my  two 
Sons  Hancock  Custis  and  Henry  Custis,  of  what 
nature  soever  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  them 
by  my  now  Wife. 

ITEM  I  Give  to  Robert  Housen  fifteen  shillings 
to  buy  him  a  Gold  Ring,  to  be  sent  for  as  aforesaid, 
and  either  a  Young  Mare  or  Horse.  In  Testimony 
that  this  is  my  last  Will  &  Testament  I  have  here- 
unto set  my  hand  and  seal  this  third  day  of  Decem- 
ber in  the  year  of  our  Lord  God,  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eight. 

JOHN  CUSTIS  L.  s. 

Teste 

ROBERT  HOUSEN 
JOHN  SATCHEU, 
SARAH  S  P  PALMER 

signum 

EWSHE  FRANK 

her 

ELIZABETH  x  ATKINSON 

mark 

Northampton  County  Ss:  March  the  i6t.h  171!. 

The  said  last  Will  and  Testament  of  John  Custis 
Esq1:  was  presented  to  Court  by  his  Relict  Mrs. 
Sarah  Custis,  his  two  Sons,  Hancock  Custis  and 
Henry  Custis,  his  Executors,  who  made  Oath 
thereto,  and  upon  their  motions  it  is  proved  in 
Court  by  the  oaths  of  Robert  Housen,  John  Satch- 

ell 


195 

ell  and  Elishe  Frank,  witnesses  thereto  is  admitted 
to  record,  and  according  to  order  it  is  recorded. 

Teste  Robert  Housen  1  C.   Cir1.  Co1.  Nor- 
Recorded  Teste  Robert  Housen  /     thampton 

A  Codicil  which  I  annex  to  this  my  last  will  & 
Testament,  and  I  desire  that  it  be  truly  and  punc- 
tually performed  as  any  part  of  my  will  whatever. 

ITEM  That  whereas  I  have  in  my  will  given 
my  now  dwelling  House  and  Plantation  with  all 
the  appurtenances  thereto  belonging,  I  mean  the 
use  of  it,  to  my  loving  wife  Sarah  Custis  during 
her  natural  life,  always  provided  that  if  she  marries 
that  her  husband  immediately  enter  into  Bond  with 
good  Security,  as  in  my  said  Will  is  set  forth. 
Now  my  desire  is  that  if  my  said  Wife  should 
marry,  and  her  Husband  refuse  to  give  Bond  with 
Security  to  my  said  son  Hancock  Custis  or  his 
heirs,  then  it  shall  be  lawful  for  my  said  Wife  to 
enjoy  her  thirds,  as  the  law  in  such  Cases  provides. 
Whereas  I  gave  a  parcel  of  Land  to  Yardly  Michael 
containing  three  hundred  acres  whereon  he  formerly 
lived,  I  do  revoke  that  Gift,  as  if  it  had  never  been 
made,  and  I  do  give  the  said  Laud  with  all  the 
advantages  thereto  belonging,  with  one  hundred 
Acres  of  Land  thereto  belonging  to  the  sole  use  & 
Benefit  of  my  now  dwelling  Plantation  to  be  used 
by  them  that  are  the  true  Possessors  of  this  my 
now  dwelling  Plantation  for  Timber  or  otherwise 
forever.  Whereas  I  have  given  five  hundred  Acres 

of 


106 

of  Land  on  Jingoteague  Island  in  my  Will  in  com- 
mon as  is  there  expressed,  to  explain  my  meaning, 
my  Will  and  desire  is,  that  my  said  daughters 
enjoy  the  said  Land  &  Negros  during  their  natural 
lives,  and  likewise  their  Husbands,  but  after  their 
decease,  then  to  go  to  which  Child  of  their  two 
Bodies  lawfully  begotten,  my  said  two  sons  in  law, 
and  my  daughters,  shall  think  fit,  that  is  if  they 
are  not  pleased  to  give  it  to  the  eldest,  then  to 
any  other  which  they  please,  still  to  be  held  in 
common:  I  mean  the  Land,  but  the  Negros  to  be 
distributed  amongst  my  Grand  Children  as  they 
shall  think  fit,  and  whereas  I  have  given  my  dear 
wife  liberty  of  range  for  twenty  head  of  Cattle,  on 
Pocomock,  and  Gingoteague  Island,  if  she  is  not 
pleased  to  accept  of  that  consideration  for  her 
thirds  on  that  Land  she  may  refuse,  and  then  her 
thirds  not  to  be  debared  her.  this  I  have  writ 
with  my  own  hand  the  more  to  confirm  the  same. 
Teste.  JOHN  CUSTIS  L.  S. 

ROBERT  HOUSEN 

MATTHEW  NEWMAN 

SARAH  CUSTIS  X  MATTHEWS 

signum. 

And  my  desire  is,  and  I  will  and  bequeath  to  my 
dear  wife  all  the  grain  of  what  sort  soever  shall  be 
founed  on  my  Plantation  either  in  growing  in  the 
field  or  lying  in  the  Houses,  together  with  all  my 
Hogs  for  her  support,  and  my  will  and  desire  is  that 
the  smith  Tools  I  shall  be  or  am  possessed  with. 

the 


i97 

shall  go,  and  I  give  them  to  my  daughter,  Eliza- 
beth Custis,  and  her  heirs  forever,  and  my  will  is 
that  the  Male  Cattle  given  to  my  son  John  Custis 
in  my  will,  bars  him  of  any  further  claim  I  owed 
him  of  nineteen  head,  and  I  owed  for  the  exchange 
of  his  part  from  Pocomock,  being  I  am  sensible 
many  more;  and  my  will  and  desire  is  that  my  girl 
Abigail  that  I  formerly  gave  to  my  daughter  Mar- 
garet in  my  Will  be  and  remain  with  all  her  in- 
crease to  my  grandson  Custis  Kendall  and  his  heirs 
and  assigns  forever.  Whereas  I  am  sensible  of  my 
interlinings  in  my  Will  all  that  can  be  thought  of 
my  writing  or  Mr.  Housens,  I  do  confirm,  and  de- 
sire that  this  part  of  my  Codicil  with  the  rest  may 
be  perpetually  performed.  Signed,  Sealed  and 
acknowledged  as  the  part  or  Codicil  annexed  to  my 
will  before 

JOHN  CUSTIS  It.  S. 

JOHN  ATKINSON  \ 

ELIZABETH  Fox    I  Witnesses. 

ROBERT  HOUSEN) 

March  the  20^  xyH 

Upon  consideration  of  a  late  Act  of  Assembly 
made  at  Williamsburgh  the  last  Sessions,  my  Will 
and  desire  is  that  none  of  my  Estate  be  appraised 
as  the  law  set  forth,  but  that  my  Estate  as  formerly 
given  in  this  my  will  and  Codicil  hereto  annexed 
be  divided  accordingly,  and  every  one  to  enjoy  his 
part  in  special  I  will  hope  my  Estate  will  not  be  in 
debt,  to  this  I  set  my  hand,  and  the  Day  and  year 

above 


198 

above  written.     The  Pistols  I  design  for  my  son 
John,  I  have  sent  them  to  him. 

JOHR  CUSTIS,     L.  S. 
Nor  my  executors  to  give  Security 

JOHN  CUSTIS,     L.  S. 

Signed,  sealed  &  acknowledged 
as  my  act  and  Deed  as  a  Codicil 
annexed  to  my  Will  amongst 
the  other  Codicils  before  inserted 
ROBERT  HOUSEN 

Signum 

PHILIP  P.  H.  HAMMON 

Signum 

WILLIAM  N.  BANUM 

Signum 

BATT  N.  NOTTINGHAM 

Northampton  County,  Sc.  March  the  i6t.h,  lyfl. 

The  said  three  Codicils  of  John  Custis,  Esqr,  dec'd, 
being  annexed  to  his  said  last  will  and  Testament 
was  also  presented  in  Court  by  his  said  Executors 
with  the  said  Will  and  upon  their  motion  the  said 
three  Codicils  was  like  wise  proved  in  Court  by  the 
Oaths  of  Robert  Housen,  Sarah  Custis  Matthews, 
John  Atkinson,  Elizabeth  Fox,  Philip  Hammon, 
Batt  Nottingham,  witnesses  thereto,  is  admitted  to 
record,  and  according  to  order,  it  is  recorded. 

Teste,  Robert  Housen  1  C.  Cir^   C  Nor- 
Recorded  Teste,  Robert  Housen  /     thampton. 
Copies  Teste 

GRIFFIN  STITH,  Cl.  N.  C. 


INDEX, 


Abingdon,  86. 
Accokeek,  46«,  59,  75. 
Accomac  county,  186. 
Adams,  Daniel  Jenifer,  130. 
Francis,  161. 
Gabriel,  43. 
John  Quincy,  109. 
Robert,  160. 

Alexander,  Robert,  93«. 
Alexander  the  Great,  victories 

of,  1 60. 
Alexandria,  77. 

Academy,  bequest 

to,  87«. 
Bank,  88,  139. 
lots  in,  84,  134. 
near,  113. 

Alt,  Theophilus,  io8w. 
Alton,  John,  105. 
Anderson,  David,  13. 
Appleton,  John,  18. 
Arlington  House,  185. 
Ash  by 's  Bent,  122. 
Ashton,  Ann  (Washington),  1 14. 
Burdet,  H5«. 
Sarah,  H5«. 

Athenaeum,  Boston,  g8«. 
Atkinson,  John,  189,  190,  197. 
Elizabeth,  194. 
George,  167. 


Augusta  Academy, 

Aylett,    Ann,    41. 

Washington. 


See    Ann 


Bailey,  J.,  107. 

Ball,  Burges,  63,  67,  69,  n6«. 

Frances  (Washington), 61, 
116. 

George  Washington,  7o». 

Joseph,  62. 

Mary,  43.  See  Mary  Wash- 
ington. 
Balridge,  36. 
Bank  of  Alexandria,  88,  139. 

Columbia,  139. 
Banks,  Henry,  I43«. 
Banum,  William,  198. 
Barrow,  Alexander,  27. 

John  B.,  28. 
Bassett,    Frances,  inn.       See 

Lewis. 

Bath,  123,  136. 
Baylor,  Robert  W.,  170. 
Baynham,  Alexander,  ion. 
Beall,  Eliza  R.,  I54». 
Benthall,  Joseph,  190. 
Berkeley  county,  93,  122. 
Berkham,  158. 
Berrien,  John,  io2«. 
Bet,  negro,  60. 


(199) 


2OO 


Betty,  negro,  47. 

Bible,  Washington's,  103. 

Biddle,  Clement,  Lear's  letter 

to,  Syw. 
Washington's 
letter      to, 
86». 

Bishop,  Thomas,  105. 
Blackburn,  Ann,  151. 

Ann  Maria,  I54«. 
JaneCharlotte,  154^, 

173- 

Richard,  161. 
Richard  Scott,  1  73«. 
Thomas,  I5i«,  161. 

Botetourt  county,  I28»,  141. 

Bowdoin,  John,  191. 

Box,  EarlofBuchan's,  99,  loon. 

Bradwater,  William,  186. 

Bridge,  Anthony,  12. 

Bridge  Creek,  44,  6in. 

Buchan,  Earl  of,  99,  100. 

Bullskin,  74,  76,  94«,  122. 

Burning  Spring,  128. 

Burwell,  Lewis,  97«. 

Bushrod,    Hannah,     43 
Hannah  Washington. 

Busts,  1  60. 

Butler,  Caleb,  19. 

Lawrence,  34,  35. 

Byrd,  William,  lottery  of,  97. 

Canes,  Washington,  102. 
Capteening  Creek,  iz6n. 
Carlyle,  John,  78,   104. 
Sarah,  104. 


See 


Carolaca,  131. 

Carter,  Betty  (Lewis),   60,   61, 
63,  67,  97,  115. 

Charles,  67,  69,  97. 

Charles    (the    elder), 

98». 

Gary,  Wilson  Miles,  IO4«. 
Chambers,  U5«. 
Chapman,  James,  102. 

Nathaniel,  49,  78. 
Charles  county,  Md.,  130. 
Charson,  Henry  L.,  144. 
Chattin's  Run,  122. 
Chew,  John,  62. 
Chincoteague,  168,  192,  196. 
Chotank,  42,  44,  50,  101. 
Clinton,  George,  99,  131. 
Cole,  Mr.,  9«. 
Cole  River,  128,  143. 
Collard,  Samuel,  162. 
Congress,   New  York  Provin- 
cial, I02». 

Conoway,  Christopher,  42«. 
Conway,  Moncure  D.,  42^,  60. 
Corner,  William  H.,  IO3«,  io4«. 
Coxe,  Daniel,  131. 
Coxeborough,  131. 
Craik,  Dr.  James,  102. 
Crane,  Samuel  J.,  178. 
Crask,  Edmund,  29. 
Crawford,  William,  I3i«. 
Cresap,  Col.,  75,  76,  I26«. 
Cruttwell,  Clement,  IO3«. 
Culpepper,  Thomas,  I2«. 
Cunningham,     Ann     Pamelia 
177. 


201 


Custis,  Eleanor  Parke,  112, 113, 

1 1 6.     See  Lewis. 
Elizabeth,  188,  189,  190", 

193,  197. 
George    Washington 

Parke,  5i»,  IO2W,  112, 

113,  117,  119- 
Hancock,  183,  184,  185, 

186,  187,  193,  194,  195. 
Henry,    187,    188,    193, 

194. 

John,  will  of,  183. 
John,  185,  187,  191,  198. 
John  Parke,  IO2W,  105^, 

H7«. 
Nellie  (Calvert), ,  102?;, 

105 n,  \\IH. 
Sarah,  183,  184,  186, 191, 

192,  193,  194,  195. 

Dandridge,    Bartholomew,   95, 

96. 

John,  95,  96,  124;;. 
Mary,  96. 

Darke,  William,  now. 
Davis,  Pierce,  186. 
De  Butts,  Lawrence,  gtt. 
Deep  Creek,  62 n. 

Run,  42,  43,  45,  62«. 
Deneale,  G.,  9,  140. 
Difficult  Bridge,  121. 

Run,  99. 

Dinwiddie,  Gov.,  127^. 
Dismal  Swamp,  99,  125. 

Company, 
,  151. 


District  of  Columbia,  Univer- 
sity for,  92. 

Dogue  Run,  73,  109,  in,  113. 
Dorsey,  James,  153. 
Dower  negroes,  84. 
Dudley,  William,  i2«,  i$n. 
Dumfries,  6372. 
Dunmore,  Lord,  127^,  I28w. 

Edenburgh,  98. 
Edwards,  Meridah,  35. 
Education,  Washington  on,  90. 
Ellenborough,  Lord,  n6n. 
Emmet,  Thomas  Addis,  15572. 
England,  John,  46. 
Epsewasson  Creek,  i$n. 
Erskine,  David  Stuart,  9972. 
Ernst,  O.  H.,  134/2. 
Essex  County,  2372. 
Estaing,  i6i«. 
Evan's  Mountain,  122. 

Fairfax,  Bryan,  Lord,  103, 104;;. 

George  William,  78. 

William,  78. 

Fairfax  County,  I2«,  71,  75. 
Fairfield,  105. 
Falmouth,  6zn. 
Fincastle  County,  I28«. 
Finch,  Thomas,  50. 
Fitzhugh,    William,    of   Chat- 
ham, 97«. 
Flagg,  Henry,  n. 
Fleming,  Alexander,  24^,  2577, 
26. 


2O2 


Fleming,  Jane   or  Joyce,    24«, 

25»,   IOIW. 

Ursula,  24«,  25». 
Forbach,  Madame  de,  ioi». 
Ford,  West,  161. 
Foster,  Robert,  14. 
Four  mile  run,  86w,  113. 
Foxall,  John,  12. 
Fox,  Elizabeth,  197,  198. 
Foxcraft,  Isaac,  186. 
Frank,  negro,  41. 
Frank,  Elishe,  194,  195. 
Franklin's  cane,  101. 
Frederick,  negro,  60. 
Frederick  County,  74,  75,  123. 
Fredericksburg,  46?;,  50,  59,  62, 

63,  66,  97. 
Fries,  John,  14. 

Ganst's  engravings,  i6ow. 

George,  negro,  59. 

Gibson,  Mrs.  Mary  (Washing- 
ton), z6n.  See  Mary  Wash- 
ington. 

Giles,  Captain,  izn. 

Gloucester  County,  99,  123. 

Goldsmith's  company,  99/2, 
100. 

Goose  Creek,  77. 

Gordon,  Samuel,  98. 

Gound,  78. 

Grant,  Margaret,  42;;. 

Gray,  John,  517;. 

Great  Meadows,  131. 

Green,  Sarah,  101. 

William,  12;;,  13;;. 


Gregory,  Roger,  35?*,  36«. 

Hammon,  Philip,  198. 
Hammond,  Mildred  (Washing- 
ton), 116. 
Thomas,  n6w. 
Hampshire  County,  123. 
Harewood,  now. 
Harmansou,  George,  193. 

William,  193. 
Harrison,  Mr.,  i^in. 

Benjamin,  129;;. 
George,  45«. 
Maria  Powell,  15472. 
Nathaniel,  Jr.,  9772. 
William,  45«. 
Harvie,  John,  I26w. 
Hawkins,  Thomas,  27. 
Hayden,  Rev.  Horace  Edwin, 
I9»,  24«,  2572,  26w,  n6n,  ii"jn. 
Hayfield,  105. 
Haynie,  Elizabeth,  105. 
Sallie  Ball,  105. 
Hedges,  Robert,  u. 
Herbert,  Bushrod  W.,  159,  164, 

165. 

Edward,  10477. 
James  R.,  IO4;/. 
John  C.,  io4«. 
Mary   Lee,    155,    158, 

159,  164,  1 66,  167. 
Noblet,  161,  164. 
Thomas,  104;;. 
William,  IO4«. 
Hills,  Richard,  13,  36. 
Holland,  John,  ion. 


203 


Hood,  John,  98. 

Horton,  William,  gn. 

Houdon,  i6o«. 

Housen,  Robert,   194,  195,   196, 

197,  198. 
Howard,  25. 
Howes,  Thomas,  20,  38. 
Hungars,  183,  190. 
Hutchinson,  David,  io4«. 
Hyley's  neck,  192. 

Ingle,  Henry  and  Joseph,  u8«. 
Inglis,  Rev.  Mr.,  103. 

Jackson,  Andrew,  io2«. 

Robert,  49,  50. 

S.,  io9«. 

James  River  shares,  89,  92,  139. 
Johnson,  Dennis,  168. 
Jones,  John  Paul,  160. 

Mary,  23^,  ioi«. 
Jordan,  Thomas,  14. 
Judy,  negro,  47. 

Kanhawa  lands,  99. 
Kendall,  Custis,  197. 

Sorrowful     M.,     188, 
189,  190,  193. 

Wm.,  187,  189. 
Kentucky,  lands  in,  132. 
Keys,  Gersham,  77. 
King  George  County,  I2n,  41, 

46«. 

King's  College  telescope,  102;;. 
Kittoctan,  130. 
Lafayette,  103, 


Lancashire  furnace,  46«. 
Lancaster  County,  23«,  26w. 
Lands,  Western,  118,  126,  141. 
Langhorn,  Mary,  24«. 
Law,  Elizabeth  Parke,  116. 
Lear,  Frances,  105. 

Tobias,  87^,  105,  112. 
Le  Brun,  i6ow. 
Lee,  Cassius  F.,  135 w. 

Edmund  I.,  177,  178. 

George,  53^. 

Hannah,  154^. 

Ludwell,  140. 

Mary,  114)1. 

Richard      Henry,      H4«, 
i54«. 

William,  86,  87;*. 
Lewis,  Andrew,  130. 

Betty  (Washington),  45, 
46,  59,  61,  63,  76,  97«, 

112,  115. 

George,  106,  lion. 
Eleanor  Parke  (Custis), 

116. 

Elizabeth,  34. 
Fielding,  60,  97«. 

Jr.,  115,  125. 
George,    115,    152,    155, 

166. 

Howell,  115. 
John,  34«. 
Laurence,  60,   107,   112, 

113,  117,  119,  140,  162. 
Robert,  63,  115. 
Thomas,  43,  146. 
Virginia  T., 


2O4 


Lewis.  Warner,  12472. 
Liberty  Hall,  93. 
Listen,  Daniel,  36. 

Robert,  36,  37. 
Little,  Charles,  140. 
Little  Hunting  Creek,  1372,  36, 

41,  73,  109,  in,  112,  155, 
Lord,  John,  18. 
Lossing,  Benson  J.,  107,  11972, 


Loudoun  county,  99,  121. 
Lydia,  negro,  60. 

Macaulay,  Mrs.,  103;;. 
Machoactoke  River,  972,  12,  36. 
Manchester,  lots  in,  97. 
Mansion  House,  HI. 
Markham,  Lewis,  36. 
Marshall,  John,  98,  163. 
Maruim,  Lewis,  11. 
Mary,  negro,  47. 
Maryland,  property  in,  130. 
Mason,  George,  161. 

Thomson,  9772,  9872,110, 

113,  155,  166. 

Mattox,  36,  43,  45,  47,  48. 
McCarty,  Daniel,  49. 
Meade,  Bishop,  2972. 

Richard  Kidder,  9772. 
Mercer,     John     Francis,     123, 

1307*. 

James,  61,  64,  70. 
Sophia,  13072. 

Miami  River,  lands  on,  132. 
Michael,  Yardley,  190. 
Micou,  James  Roy,  29. 


Millan,  George,  168, 
Minton,  Elizabeth,  36. 
Moll,  negro,  74,  76. 
Montgomery  county,  Md.,^130. 
Moratico,  6272. 
Morris,  John,  188. 
Moseley,  Capt.  Wm.,  26. 
Moss,  Alfred,  141. 

William,  168. 
Mottrom,  John,  13/2. 
Mount  Vernon  estate,  12,  3672, 

4i,  53»,  73,  108,  151,  153,  155, 

157,  176. 

Muddy  hole,  no. 
Mumford,  George  W.,  141. 
Mumford's  Museum,  161. 

Nansemoud  county,  125. 
Necker,  bust  of,  160. 
Necostin's  town,  972. 
Negroes,  dower,  84. 
Newman,  Matthew,  196. 
New  York,  property  in,  131. 
Nicholas,  Lewis,  35. 
Nore,  James,  45. 
North,  John,  78. 
Northumberland  County,     14, 

1872,  26u. 

Norway,  David,  13. 
Nottingham,  Batt,  198. 
Nugent,  James,  155,  156. 

Ohio  company,  77. 
lands,  126. 

Pace,  Alexia,  25/2. 


205 


Pace,  Jane,  2$n. 

Thomas,  25«. 
Page,  John,  98;;. 
Palmer,  Sarah,  194. 
Parish,  Truro,  12. 

Washington,  9,  16,  33, 

35- 
Parishes  in  Virginia,  formation 

of,  9«. 
Parks,  Harriot   (Washington), 

US- 

Andrew,  ii5«. 
Peake,    Humphrey,     in,    153, 

161. 

Pendergrass,  Gerrard,  75,  76. 
Pendleton,  Edmund,  53,  6$n. 

Philip,  93,  94. 

Pennsylvania,  property  in,  131. 
Peter,  Martha  Parke,  116. 
Phil,  gardener.  159. 
Pipe  Creek,  I26w. 
Piscatoway  Indian  town,  I2«. 
Pope,  Anne,  u,  15,  17,  19.  See 

Ann  Washington. 
Thomas,  n,  I4«,  17. 
Pope's  Creek,  51. 
Porter  &  Coates,  IO3«. 
Posey,  Thomas,  I28w. 
Potomac  river,  9«,  I2»,  lyi. 

shares,    89,    92, 

138. 
Prince  George  County,  98;?. 

William  County,  I2»,  41, 

43,  45,  47,  48,  53,  54- 
Priucipio   Irou   Company,   42, 
45,  75,  76. 


Randolph,  Edmund,  I29». 

Peter,  g8n. 

Peyton,  97;^,  gSn. 

Richard,  97/2. 
Rappahannock  creek,  13. 

County,  23«. 
Redman,  Robert,  38. 
Richards,  Robert,  14. 
Richardson,  F.  W.,  I4i«,  169. 
Richmond,  97. 

County,  237*. 
Riggs,  Alice  L.,  108. 
Robertson,  Archibald,  100. 
Robinson,  John,  98w. 
Maxim,  77. 

Rogers,  Edmund  Law,  H7«. 
Rosier,  John,  12,  58. 
Rosier's  Creek,  n! 
Rough  Creek,  132. 
Round  Bottom,  126. 
Hill,  gw,  36. 
Rumsey,  James,  156)1. 
Rush,  William,  36. 

Salisbury  Plains,  74,  77. 
Sandy,  Henry,  Jr.,  28. 
Saratoga,  13272. 
Satchell,  John,  194,  195. 
Simms,  Charles,  140. 
Slaves,  Washington's,  84,  96. 
Sodor  and  Man,  Bishop  of,  103. 
Sparks,  Jared,  98;;. 
Spencer,  Francis,  lyi,  45^. 

Nicholas,  ion,  12,  \yi. 
Spotswood,    Elizabeth   (Wash- 
ington), 114. 


206 


Spotswood,    Alexander,    H4«, 

I54«- 

Geueral  A.,  132. 
Spotsylvania  County,  59. 
Spy-glass,  Washington's,  102. 
Stafford  County,  12,  36,  42,  59. 
Stewart,  James,  130;?. 

Rebecca,  i3ow. 
Stith,  Griffin,  198. 
Stock,  live,  139. 
Stocks,  United  States,  137. 
Storkes  quarter,  37. 
Story,  Judge  Joseph,  161. 
Strickland,  119;;. 
Stringer,  Hilary,  193. 
Strother,  Anthony,  49,  50,  51. 

William,  42. 
Struthers,  John,  ngw. 
Stuart,  David,  102,  105^,  141. 
Eleanor  (Custis),  105. 
Mr.,  77. 
Sue,  negro,  47. 
Summers,  George  W.,  io6#. 

Samuel,  156. 
Swords,  Washington,  106. 

Taylor,  114;*. 

Elias,  191. 
Telescope,      King's      College, 

IO2W. 

Thomas,  Margaret  (Lee),  87«. 
Thomazine,  John,  2511. 
Thomson,  James,  49,  50,  51. 
Thompson,  Samuel,  34,  37. 

William,  34. 
Thornton,  Elizabeth,  25;*. 


Thornton,  Jane,  114. 

Mildred,  43^. 
Presley,  g8n. 
Rowland,  25«. 
Col.  —  .,  H4«. 
Lieut,  I28w. 
Tiffy,  Mathew,  50. 
Tom,  negro,  59. 
Towles,  Henry,  188,  191. 
Townsheud,  Frances,  24;;. 
Mary,  24«,  101. 
Mary     (Lang- 

home),  24«. 
Robert,  24«. 
Truro  Parish,  I2«,  73. 
Trumbull,  Charles,  98^. 
Turner,  Harry,  151. 


United  States  Stocks,  137, 
Vault,  family,  73,  118. 

Wahanganoche,  18. 
Waite,  William,  78. 
Wakefield,  36^,  51  «. 
Wales,  John,  9772. 
Walker,  Ann,  105. 

Joseph,  6r,  62. 

Thomas,   125. 
Wallace,  WTilliam,  99. 
Waller,  John,  50. 
WTalpole  grant,  I27«. 
Warm  Springs,  123,  136. 
Warner,  Elizabeth,  34«. 

Mildred,  35. 


207 


Warren,  Andrew  W.,  78. 
Washington,  Ann  (daughter  of 
John),     14,    15, 
16,  17,  34- 
Ann  (daughter  of 
Laurence),    24, 
25,  ioi«. 
Ann  (Fairfax), 

53«f  73- 
Ann  (m.  Ashton), 

114. 
Ann  (Blackburn), 

151- 

Ann  Eliza,  167. 

Ann  Maria,  175, 
17877. 

Augustine  (son  of 
Lawrence),  35, 
36,  42«,  467;, 
47»,  5i,  53;  will 
of,  41. 

Augustine  (son  of 
Augustine),  41, 
45,  47,  48,  49, 
5i«,  53,  75,  76, 
73,  115- 

Betty,  45,  46.  See 
Lewis. 

Bushrod,  5377.,  67, 
68,  98,  106,  107, 
108,  113,  116, 
119,  151,  176; 
will  of,  151. 

Bushrod  (of  Mt. 
Zephyr),  154, 
156,  157,  158, 


159,     161,    162, 
165,  167. 
Washington,  Bushrod    Corbin, 

154,     158,     159, 

162,  167,     177, 
178. 

Charles,  43,  44, 
48,  54,  59,  64, 
75,  76,  101,  116. 

Charles  Augus- 
tine, [111], 

II277,    Il6. 

Corbin,    59,     116, 

154,  155. 
Elizabeth,  11477. 
Elizabeth  (Foote), 

105. 

Ella  Bassett,  109. 

Ferdinand,  H5«. 

Frances,  116. 

George,  3672,  42, 
44,  47,  48,  50, 
5i,  52,  53«,  59, 
61,  62n,  75,  76, 
78,  i27«,  152, 

155,  1 60,     161, 

163,  1 66  ;  death 
and      burial, 
n8«;  letter  to 
Mrs.  Lewis,  63, 
68;  letter  to  Ba1 
and  Carter,}) 
letter  to  Bush- 
rod,    W.,    gSw; 
letter  to  Cham- 
bers, 11577  /  let- 


208 


ter  to  Warner 
Lewis,  124;  let- 
ter to  Jno.  Har- 
vie,  I26«/  let- 
ter to  E.  Ran- 
dolph, i29«  ; 
letter  to  Clin- 
ton, 1327?  /  let- 
ter to  D.  Stuart, 
141  ;  letter  of 
Banks,  143"  ; 
swords  of,  loSn; 
will  of,  83. 

Washington,  George  Augus- 
tine, 60,  67,  in, 
116. 

George  Corbin, 
5i#,  io6«,  109';, 
154,  155.  156, 
157,  158,  159, 
160,  i6r,  162. 

George  Fayette, 
in,  116. 

George  Steptoe, 
94,  106,  108, 
non,  115,  119, 
140. 

George  W.,  167, 
1 68. 

Hannah  ( Bush- 
rod),  43,  59, 104. 

Hannah(Fairfax), 
105. 

Harriet,  115. 

Jane  (Fleming), 
24,  27. 


Washington,  Jane,    ii4«,    116; 

in.  Washington. 
Jane,      114  ;     M. 

Thornton. 
Jane  C.,  119,  163, 

173,  176,  177. 
Jane  Mildred,  167. 
John(immigrant), 

10,  I2«,     13^, 
I4«,     19,     26n, 
27,  5i«;  will  of, 

9- 
John  (son  of  John), 

11,  13,    14,    15, 

17,  34- 

John  (son  of  im- 
migrant Law- 
rence), 16,  24, 
25,  25«,  27,  35, 
37,  5i«,  IDIW. 

John  (son  of  John 

2d),   24«,  IOIW. 

John  (son  of  Law- 
rence 2d),  36, 

37- 
John    Augustine, 

43,  44,  48,  54, 
62;;,  64,  75,  76, 
77,  I04«,  ii4«. 
John  Augustine, 
152,  154,  158, 
159,  160,  162, 
163,  165,  167, 
1 68,  will  of,  173. 
Lawrence  (immi- 
grant), 14,  16, 


209 


J7,  23,   24,   25, 
loin  ;   will   of, 

23- 

Washington,  Lawrence  (son  of 
immigrant 
John),  ii,  12, 
I3«,  15,  16,  17, 
33,  5i«/  will  of, 
33- 

Lawrence  (son  of 
Augustine),  41, 
43,  45,  46,  47, 
48,  49,  5i,  531 
will  of,  73. 

Lawrence  (son  of 
John),  35,  IOT, 
102. 

Lawrence  Augus- 
tine, 94,  non, 
[in],  II2W,  115. 

Lawrence  Augus- 
tine, 2d,  lion. 

Lewis  William, 
5i«,  109;*. 

Lund,      65,     94«, 


Maria,  u6. 
Martha,  17. 
Martha  (Dand- 

ridge),    83,    95, 

119. 

Martha  D.,  iio». 
Mary    (Ball),    43, 

63,  will  of,  59. 
Mary  (Jones),  2372, 


Mary      ( T  o  w  n  - 

shend),  24;;. 

Washington,  M.ary(m. Gibson), 
23,  24,  25«,  27, 
loin. 

Mary  Lee,  155. 
Mildred(Warner), 

35,  38. 

Mildred  (m.  Gre- 
gory -Willis,  )35, 
36. 

Mildred  (m. Ham- 
mond), 116. 

Mildred  (m. 
Thornton),  437;, 
61,  105. 

Richard  B.,  178. 

Richard  Henry 
Lee,  164. 

Robert,  101. 

Samuel  (son  of 
Augustine),  42, 

43,  44,  48,  50, 
54,  62«,  64,  75, 
76,  93,  94,  112. 

Samuel  (son  of 
Charles),  ioi«, 
io6w,  io7«,  no, 
116,  119,  140. 

Samuel  T.,  loin, 
io6n. 

Sarah,  54,  74,  75, 
76,  78. 

Thornton,  93,  94, 

US- 
Thornton  A.,  i  io«. 


210 


Washington,  Townsend,  loin. 
Warner,  IO5«. 
William     Augus- 
tine,    5i«,    97, 
106,   logw,    114, 
119,  15472. 

Washington  Academy,  93/2. 
Washington  and  L,ee   Univer- 
sity, 93. 
Washington  city,  lots  in,   114, 

133- 

Washington  Parish,  972. 
Water  mill,  11,  37,  41,  47,  155. 
Waters,  Henry  F.,  13 n. 
Watts,  — .,  n. 
Webb,  William,  36. 
Weedon,  Captain  George,  127/2. 

George,  38. 
Weeks,  Benjamin,  50. 
Welles,  Albert,  2972. 
Westcomb,  James,  20,  38. 
West,  Falco,  26. 
Westmoreland  County,  9/2,  i8«, 

33,  41,  43,  50,  53- 
White,  Daniel,  35. 
Whitely,  Henry,  47/2. 
Whitmore,  William  H.,  29. 


Whittsons,  John,  13. 
Wickeff,  Henry,  20. 
Will,  of  George  Washington, 

original,  141  n. 
Willet,  Marinus,  131. 
Willett,  William,  185. 
William.     See  William  Lee. 
Williams,  Mrs.,  36. 
Willie,  William,  98. 
Willis,  Col.  Henry,  35*2,  50. 
Wilmot,  Henry,  i©2W. 
Wilson,  Thomas,  103. 

Col.,  77- 

Winchester,  lots  in,  135. 
Winneberger,  119/2. 
Withers,  Edmund,  42/2. 

John,  42«. 

Sarah,  42^. 

Thomas,  42/2. 

William,  4272. 
Wood,  Cornelius,  28. 

John,  97«. 

Woodstock  Manor,  13072. 
Wormley's  line,  122. 
Wright,    Major    Francis,    I4«, 

37- 
Wythe,  George,  9772. 


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sellers and  auction  rooms,  at  prices  that  few  would  care  to  pay."  As  a 
consequence  they  have  hitherto  been  almost  unknown  as  historical  mate- 
rial. They  are  as  follows: 

[GERRY,  ELBRIDGE].  Observations  on  the  New  Constitution,  and  on  the 
Federal  and  State  Conventions.  By  a  Columbian  Patriot. 

[WEBSTER,  NOAH].  An  examination  into  the  leading  principles  of  the 
Federal  Constitution.  By  a  citizen  of  America. 

[]AY,  JOHN].  An  Address  to  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  on  the 
subject  of  the  Constitution.  By  a  Citizen  of  New  York. 


[SMITH,  MELANCTHON].  Address  to  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York. 
By  a  Plebeian. 

[WEBSTER,  PELATIAH].  The  weakness  of  Brutus  exposed;  or  some  re- 
marks in  vindication  of  the  Constitution.  By  a  Citizen  of  Philadelphia. 

[CoxE,  TENCH].  An  examination  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
of  America.  By  an  American  Citizen. 

WILSON,  JAMES.  Speech  on  the  Federal  Constitution,  delivered  in  Phil- 
adelphia. 

[DICKINSON,  JOHN].     Letters  of  Fabius  on  the  Federal  Constitution. 

[HANSON,  ALEXANDER  CONTEE].  Remarks  on  the  Proposed  Plan  of  a 
Federal  Government.  By  Aristides. 

RANDOLPH,  EDMUND.     Letters  on  the  Federal  Constitution. 

[LEE,  RICHARD  HENRY].  Observations  on  the  System  of  Government 
proposed  by  the  late  Convention.  By  a  Federal  Farmer. 

MASON,  GEORGE.     Objections  to  the  Federal  Constitution. 

[IKEDELL,  JAMES].  Observations  on  George  Mason's  Objections  to  the 
Federal  Constitution.  By  Marcus. 

[RAMSAY;  DAVID].  An  Address  to  the  Freemen  of  South  Carolina  on  the 
Federal  Constitution.  By  Civis. 

Bibliography  of  the  Constitution,  1787-1789.     By  the  Editoi. 

"A  happy  thought  to  reproduce  in  this  centennial  period  a  select  number  of 
the  pamphlets  which  were  published  for  or  against  the  Constitution.  .  .  .  gathered 
from  the  wide  field  of  political  pamphleteering  in  1787  and  1788,  we  can  hear  the 
political  accent  of  the  living  age  in  almost  every  variety  of  tone,  and  can  catch,  as 
from  a  phonograph,  the  true  and  false  emphasis  which  was  then  peculiar  to  the 
political  dialect  of  the  country." — The  Nation, 

"The  fourteen  Pamphlets  on  the  Constitution  .  .  .  form  a  valuable  addition  to 
the  literature  of  American  Constitutional  law  and  history.  The  Bibliography  and 
reference  list  at  the  end  are  especially  useful." — The  New  York  Tribune. 


^'t&t^t&^tsx^'ts** 


^«|v2S^s 
&r^tssssvs 


THE  WASHINGTON-DUCHfi  LETTERS, 

• 

Now  printed  for  the  first  time,  from  the  original  manuscripts, 

with  an  introductory  note  by  % 
WORTHINGTON  CHAUNCEY  FORD. 


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channels  where  garbling  had  become  a  recognized  trade.  .  .  .  On  Nov.  29, 
1777,  in  one  of  the  early  issues  of  Rivington's  Gazette,  was  published  this 
letter,  andj  soon  after  it  was  included  in  a  pamphlet  issued  from  the  same 
press,  appended  to  the  "Forged  Letters"  of  Washington.  ...  It  again 
appeared  with  the  Spurious  Letters  of  1 796,  but  still  retaining  the  Rivin;;-- 
ton  text,  of  which  the  editor  of  the  Official  Letters  of  Washington  to 
Congress  wrote:  'I  regret  extremely  that  I  cannot  (without  openly  avow- 
ing myself  the  author)  point  out  to  the  public  the  prodigious  incorrectness 
of  Mr.  Duche's  letter.  Having  compared  it  with  a  correct  copy  which  I 
have  taken  from  the  files,  I  find  no  less  than  one  hundred  and  forty  devia- 
tions from  the  genuine  text: — in  which  number  I  do  not  count  orthography 
and  punctuation.'  When  Mr.  Sparks  was  making  up  his  important  col- 
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concerning  this  letter;  and  Duche's  letter,  written  after  the  signing  of  the 
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An  attempt  to  establish  the  authorship  is  here  first  made,  and  many  illus- 
trations from  the  genuine  letters  of  the  General  are  given  to  show  how 
closely  the  fabricator  of  the  spurious  letters  imitated  the  thoughts  and  even 
the  style  of  the  supposed  writer.  Some  rare  and  curious  biographical 
sketches  of  Washington,  printed  during  his  life-time  are  added,  with  other 
material  of  a  like  nature. 

One  hundred  copies  of  the  tract  contain  a  reproduction  of  a  letter  from 
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and 


OF    THE 


HARRISBURG  CONVENTION  OF  1788. 


BY 

PAUL   LEICESTER  FORD. 

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The  Harrisburg  Convention  was  described  by  its  contemporaries  as 
a  "smuggling  business,"  and  to  this  day  its  original  purpose  has  been  in 
doubt,  as  indeed  much  of  its  history.  To  clear  up  the  objects  and  results 
of  this  secret  gathering,  the  greatest  pains  have  been  taken  to  embody  all 
information,  both  printed  and  manuscript,  bearing  on  it.  From  the  mat- 
ter thus  for  the  first  time  brought  to  light,  it  appears  almost  certain  that 
this  meeting  of  prominent  Pennsylvanians,  such  as  William  Findley,  George 
Bryan,  John  Smiley,  Albert  Gallatin,  and  many  others,  who  were  united  in 
their  opposition  to  the  Federal  Constitution,  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 
preventing  the  organization  of  the  United  States  Government,  or  if  possi- 
ble to  secure  the  secession  of  such  counties  of  the  State  as  were  opposed 
to  that  government ;  and  as  the  first  attempt  at  nullification  or  secession, 
deserves  more  prominence  in  our  histories  than  has  as  yet  been  accorded 
to  it. 


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